Authors: Gavin Lloyd / Editor: Steve Fordham / Reviewer: Stewart McMorran, Kathryn Blackmore / Codes: / Published: 03/12/2019
This session provides training in chest drain insertion. It looks at the indications for carrying out this procedure, as well as how to prepare for it, and shows a chest drain being inserted. Post-procedure management and complex cases are also covered.
After completing this session you will be able to:
- Evaluate the need for a chest drain in injured adults
- Explain how to safely insert and secure a chest drain
- Recognise important aspects of chest drain management post-procedure
- Manage complex cases in which a chest drain may be an integral part
Incorrectly placed chest drains are capable of causing serious injury and death. The recommendations of the NHS National Patient Safety Agency report 2008 [1] are covered by these learning objectives.
References:
- National Patient Safety Agency. National Reporting and Learning Service. Chest drains: risks associated with the insertion of chest drains. number 1065, May 2008, NPSA/2008/RRR003.
- Is a chest drain necessary in stable patients with traumatic pneumothorax? August 2008, BestBets.
- Chest drains in traumatic occult pneumothorax. December 2005, BestBets.
- Laws D, Neville E, Duffy J. BTS guidelines for the insertion of a chest drain. Thorax 2003;58(Suppl II):ii53-ii59.
- The use of intrapleural anaesthetic to reduce the pain of chest drain insertion. May 2007. BestBets.
- Antibiotics in patients with isolated chest trauma requiring chest drains. November 2002. BestBets.
- Do patients with a thoracostomy tube placed in the lung fissure need an additional thoracostomy tube placed? August 2008. BestBets.
- Advanced Trauma Life Support for Doctors, student course manual 7th edition. 2004. Chicago, Illinois, US
- Does it matter whether a chest drain is aimed upwards or downwards for the optimum drainage of fluid or air from the pleural cavity? June 2010. BestBets.