Reducing morbidity from insertion of chest drains

Insertion of chest drains: summary of a safety report from the National Patient Safety Agency.

Before inserting a chest drain, individual doctors should always ask themselves: • Do I need to do this? (The presence of a pneumothorax or pleural effusion does not automatically require insertion of a chest drain.) • Does it need to be done as an emergency or can it wait? (There are few indications for chest drain insertion as an emergency “out of hours.”) • Have I had enough training to feel...

Neonatal diaphragmatic paralysis caused by chest drains.

A boy delivered at 32 weeks' gestation developed bilateral pneumothoraces that required multiple chest drains. He was dependent on the ventilator for 52 days because of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Electrophysiological studies confirmed phrenic nerve damage. He eventually made a full recovery. It is likely that this damage was caused by the insertion of the chest drains.

A "Guided" technique for insertion of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drains.

Cost and morbidity analysis of chest port insertion in adults: Outpatient clinic versus operating room placement

BACKGROUND Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) represent a convenient way for the administration of medications or nutrients. Traditionally, chest ports have been positioned by surgeons in the operating room, however there has been a transition over the years to port insertion by interventional radiologists in the radiology suite. The optimal method for chest port placement is st...

A regional survey of chest drains: evidence-based practice?

Although the use of chest drains is common in medicine, there appear to be wide variations in practice. A survey was therefore conducted to establish the current status of chest drain management in the Northwest region. A questionnaire targeted consultants practising in the specialties of chest medicine, general surgery, accident & emergency and cardiothoracic surgery. The questionnaire consist...