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Chest Tube
Aka: Chest Tube
- Indications
- Tension Pneumothorax
- Simple Pneumothorax
- Open Pneumothorax
- Massive Hemothorax
- Equipment
- Size #34 French Chest Tube (#38 F for Hemothorax)
- Chest Tube Suction Apparatus or pleur-evac
- Technique
- Insertion Site
- Level of 5th intercostal space, over 6th rib
- Nipple level in men, inframammary fold in women
- Insert anterior to mid-axillary line
- Preparation
- Betadine prep and drape
- Lidocaine 1% local anesthetic to skin and rib
- Insertion Procedure
- Incise Horizontally 2-3 cm over the 6th rib
- Bluntly dissect through subcutaneous tissue over rib
- Carefully puncture parietal pleura with clamp tip
- Insert finger into incision and make 360 degree sweep
- Check for organs, adhesions and enlarge path
- Insert chest tip with clamp
- Look for tube condensation indicating good placement
- Procedure Completion
- Suture tube in place
- Attach Chest Tube to suction
- Underwater seal apparatus and suction (-20 cm H2O)
- Pleur-evac
- Chest XRay
- Verify position and function of tube