{"id":9133,"date":"2026-01-17T20:02:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T18:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/el\/?p=9133"},"modified":"2026-01-17T20:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T18:02:10","slug":"%ce%b5%ce%b9%cf%83%ce%b1%ce%b3%cf%89%ce%b3%ce%b7-%ce%b8%cf%89%cf%81%ce%b1%ce%ba%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%bf%cf%85-%cf%83%cf%89%ce%bb%ce%b7%ce%bd%ce%b1-%ce%b4%ce%b9%ce%b1%ce%b4%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%b9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/%ce%b5%ce%b9%cf%83%ce%b1%ce%b3%cf%89%ce%b3%ce%b7-%ce%b8%cf%89%cf%81%ce%b1%ce%ba%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%bf%cf%85-%cf%83%cf%89%ce%bb%ce%b7%ce%bd%ce%b1-%ce%b4%ce%b9%ce%b1%ce%b4%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%b9\/","title":{"rendered":"CHEST TUBE INSERTION: PROCEDURE, COMPLICATIONS AND REMOVAL"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Thoracic Drainage Tube is a thin, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flexible<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a plastic tube that the doctor inserts into the pleural space, the area between the chest wall and the lungs. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">use<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a pipe <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it is appropriate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for many purposes,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as reexpanding a collapsed lung, treating pneumothorax or hemothorax by draining fluid or blood respectively<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or the delivery of medications. This article explains how chest tubes work, what to expect during the insertion process, and possible complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">THE <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">place<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Chest tube is chosen for various situations, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pneumothorax:<\/strong> The collapse of a lung due to the presence of air in the pleural space. Sometimes a lung can collapse without warning, which is known as a spontaneous pneumothorax. A pneumothorax can also occur as a result of an injury to the chest, such as a gunshot or stab wound.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Empyema<\/strong>: The empyema <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-purulent collection-<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is an infection that develops in the pleural space.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Hemothorax<\/strong>: Hemothorax occurs when excessive blood accumulates in the chest cavity, usually due to injury, tumor <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or hemostasis disorder (bleeding disorder)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is likely to be placed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest tube to prevent hemothorax after chest surgery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pleural effusion<\/strong>: P<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fluid accumulation in the pleural space, which may be due to heart failure, lymph fluid, lung malignancy, or infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pleural effusion<\/strong>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pleurodesis requires the placement of a chest tube to administer chemicals into the pleural space.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These chemicals irritate the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interior<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the lung and cause a deliberate aseptic reaction (pleurodesis) which prevent the accumulation of fluid in this area. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor often connects the chest tube to a container that holds the fluid that drains.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is possible to connect the container to a suction device to remove fluid or blood more effectively.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest drain tubes come in different sizes. The doctor may use straight tubes or curved tubes.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The size of the chest tube will be chosen to suit the person&#039;s anatomy and the procedure. Chest tubes look like very large, plastic straws. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest tubes generally come in two sizes: large and small diameter. Smaller tubes are also available and are known as intrapleural catheters (IPCs). Doctors carefully place them under the skin of the chest for long-term use. An intrapleural catheter (IPC) may be necessary for a person who <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">faces<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continuous accumulation of pleural fluid due to chronic infection, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">malignancy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or liver disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procedure<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The procedure can be performed with the patient under general anesthesia for chest tube insertion. Alternatively, local anesthesia is used, in which an anesthetic is used to numb the area before the tube is inserted, and the patient will also receive painkillers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are different incision approaches for chest tube insertion, but the procedure will follow the same basic steps:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 Elevating the head of a person&#039;s bed by 30-60 degrees. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The upper extremity is usually also elevated.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the affected side above the head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 Determine the tube insertion location. This will typically be between the fourth and fifth sides or between the fifth and sixth sides, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the mid-axillary line<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, just behind the pectoral muscle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decontamination<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the skin with a solution. Doctors will let the skin dry before placing the<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sterile field <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the patient.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 Using a local anesthetic to numb the insertion site. Once the area is completely numb, the doctor can insert a needle deeper to see if they can draw fluid or air. This will confirm that they are in the right area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 By making an incision approximately 2-3 centimeters (cm) through the skin, the doctor will widen the incision and gain access to the pleural space. The insertion of the clamp must be slow to avoid puncturing the lung.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 Inserting a gloved finger into the incision site. This is done to confirm that the area is the pleural space. The doctor also examines any unexpected findings, such as a mass or scar tissue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 Insertion of the chest tube through the incision site. If fluid begins to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is drained<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through the tube, it is in the right place. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also possible to connect the tube to a special chamber containing water that moves when a person breathes. If this movement is not observed, the tube may need to be repositioned.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 The tube is sewn into place like this <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so that it is waterproof<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u03af<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 The tube insertion site is covered with gauze pads.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2192 Chest X-ray can also help confirm the diagnosis. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">position<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the pipe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complications<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During a chest tube insertion, the doctor must work around several major organs, including the lungs and heart. It is a relatively safe procedure, but it does carry risks for certain complications. Possible complications include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infection<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injury to the heart, blood vessels, or lungs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">perforation (puncture) of the diaphragm<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lung perforation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor should carefully explain these risks to the patient before the procedure.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ideally, chest tube placement is avoided in people who are receiving anticoagulant treatment (blood thinners). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">due to the risk of bleeding. However, chest tube insertion can sometimes be a life-saving and necessary emergency procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chest tube removal<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor removes the chest tube when it is no longer needed, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that is, when the drainage of fluid stops<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.They will also remove the tube if it becomes blocked or not working properly. On average, the patient needs to keep the chest tube in for a few days. When removing a chest tube, the doctor <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">removes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The stitches that hold the tube in place will be removed and gently pulled out. The procedure may be uncomfortable, but it is not painful.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recovery<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideally, a person&#039;s symptoms will improve after <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">place<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> chest tube. The patient should monitor the incision site for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">points<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> infection while it is healing and to inform their doctor as soon as possible if the wound swells, becomes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">red<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or start to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">produces<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pus. It is possible that a small scar will remain at the insertion site.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A chest tube can be a relatively non-invasive way to access the pleural space to drain fluid or administer medications. Sometimes, if the chest tube doesn&#039;t resolve the problem, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the patient<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> , it may be necessary <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">surgery<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> surgery. After the chest tube is removed, the patient should follow the doctor&#039;s recommendations on how to care for the incision site.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A chest tube is a thin, flexible, plastic tube that a doctor inserts into the pleural space, the area between the chest wall and the lungs. A tube is used for many purposes, such as re-expanding a collapsed lung, treating a pneumothorax or hemothorax by draining fluid or blood, respectively, or delivering medications. This article explains how chest tubes work, what to expect during the insertion process, and possible complications. Uses Chest tube placement is chosen for several conditions, including: Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung due to the presence of air in the pleural space. Sometimes a [\u2026]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":9132,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[546],"tags":[402,394,280,253,395,237,273,277,236],"class_list":["post-9133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-546","tag-thoraxgr","tag-eisagogi-thorakikoy-solina","tag-280","tag-253","tag-thorakikos-solinas","tag-237","tag-273","tag-277","tag-236"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9133"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9134,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9133\/revisions\/9134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thorax.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}