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Definition

A chest tube insertion involves the surgical placement of a hollow, flexible drainage tube into the chest.

Alternative Names

Chest drainage tube insertion; Insertion of tube into chest; Tube thoracostomy

Description

Chest tubes are inserted to drain blood, fluid, or air and to allow the lungs to fully expand. The tube is placed between the ribs and into the space between the inner lining and the outer lining of the lung (pleural space).

The area where the tube will be inserted is numbed (local anesthesia). Sometimes sedation (medication to make you relaxed and sleepy) is also used. The chest tube is inserted through an incision between the ribs into the chest and is connected to a bottle or canister that contains sterile water. Suction is attached to the system for drainage. A stitch (suture) and adhesive tape keep the tube in place.

The chest tube usually stays in place until x-rays show that all the blood, fluid, or air has drained from the chest and the lung has fully re-expanded. When the chest tube is no longer needed, it can be easily removed. Most people don't need medications to sedate or numb them while the chest tube is removed. Antibiotics may be used to prevent or treat infection.

In certain people, the chest tube may be inserted using a minimally invasive technique guided by x-ray. Sometimes chest tubes are placed during major lung or heart surgery while the person is under general anesthesia.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Chest tubes are used to treat conditions that can cause the lung to collapse, such as:

  • After surgery or trauma in the chest (pneumothorax or hemothorax)
  • Air leaks from the lung into the chest (pneumothorax)
  • Bleeding into the chest (hemothorax)
  • Lung abscessesor pus in the chest (empyema)
Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

  • Problems breathing
  • Reactions to medications

Risks for any surgery are:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
After the Procedure

Most people completely recover from the chest tube insertion and removal. There is only a small scar.

Outlook (Prognosis)

You will stay in the hospital until the chest tube is removed. While the chest tube is in place, the nursing staff will carefully check for possible air leaks, breathing difficulties, and the need for additional oxygen. You'll need to breathe deeply and cough often to help re-expand the lung, assist with drainage, and prevent fluids from collecting in the lungs.

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Related Questions

After chest tube insertion what do you do next?

stat chest x-ray


When do we need Chest Tube Insertion besides for pleural effusion?

a chest tube is used for the treatment of pnuemothorax or hemopnuemothorax..


What is the cpt code for chest tube insertion for pneumothorax?

3242232422 is listed under REMOVAL, not insertion. Insertion code (current) is 32551You need to do your own homework and look up the code in the CPT book.32422


What to do if the chest tube is accidentally dislodged?

Immediately apply sterile gauze over the chest tube insertion site and notify doctor.


What is the medical term meaning chest tube insertion?

thoracostomy or CTI


Would you administer pain medication before chest tube insertion?

no


What is the difference between a standard chest tube and a chest tube with a trocar?

a standard chest tube is a hollow tube that inserts into the chest's pleural cavity. a trocar is a metal rod that's inside the chest tube, some doctors prefor the trocar for easier insertion through the intercostal muscles.


What is the Position of a person immediately following chest tube insertion?

Fowler's position


What are the responsibilities of scrub nurse during chest tube insertion?

maintain sterile technique.


If a surgeon performs a thoracotomy procedure and at the end of the procedure inserts a chest tube for drainage do you report the insertion on the tube separately?

No


What complications can occur after chest drainage therapy?

Problems can arise in the insertion of the tube if the membrane lining the chest cavity is thick or if it has many adhesions. The tube will not drain correctly if the chest cavity contains blood clots or thick secretions.


What should nurse do if chest tube is accidentally removed?

If chest tube dislodges, apply pressure over the insertion site with a dressing that is tented on one side to allow for escape of air. If tube gets disconnected, cut the contaminated tip and reinsert a sterile connector and reattach to system or place tip in sterile water. To remove: pt does valsalva maneuver, chest tube is clamped and quickly removed by MD, occlusive dressing applied.