Tube Thoracostomy
Home / Dr. Kushal Chidgupkar
Interventional Pulmonology
- Fiberoptic & Rigid Bronchoscopy
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Guided FNAB & Staging
- Medical Thoracoscopy (Pleuroscopy)
- Endobronchial Stenting & Other Endobronchial Interventions
- Indwelling Pleural Catheter
- Tube Thoracostomy
- Intra-Pleural Fibrinolytic Therapy (IPFT)
- Chemical and Mechanical Pleurodesis
- Thoracentesis
- Trans Thoracic Biopsy (CT scan Guided Or USG Guided)
Tube Thoracostomy
This is a procedure in which chest tube is inserted inside the pleural space. It is also known as InterCostal Drain (ICD). Chest tube is available in different sizes. They are made up of different materials like plastic, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), polyethylene, silicone etc. These tubes have 2 to 3 openings at the distal part for drainage of the fluid. A Pigtail Drain is a thin, flexible silicone tube with multiple small holes.
Tube Thoracostomy can be an emergency or an elective procedure. A small incision is taken on chest wall in the intercostal space under strict aseptic precautions and local anaesthesia. After blunt dissection with forceps the ICD is inserted inside the pleural space and is fixed with the help of sutures.
This tube is then connected to the underwater seal.
Indications:
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung due to air around the lung), Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs), Empyema (pus in the pleural space), Hemothorax (blood in the pleural space), Chylothorax (lymph in the pleural space), or Lung infections.