For air collections, place the tube anteriorly.
Air collects in the uppermost areas of the chest, and fluid in the most dependent areas.
#Pleur evac drainage at home skin#
The site of skin insertion for the elective chest tube insertion is the same for both air and fluid, but the direction of the tube is determined by examining the anteroposterior and cross-table lateral or lateral decubitus chest films for air or fluid. Pigtail catheter sizes range from 5F to 12F with 8 and 10F most commonly used. It may not drain a pneumothorax with an ongoing air leak.
Disadvantages are that the catheter may kink and become obstructed since they are softer. This is an easier and less invasive technique requiring less anesthesia. The pigtail catheter is inserted through a needle. Percutaneous chest tube with pigtail catheter. Recommended size for weight: 8 or 10F 2000 g. Use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chest tubes 8, 10, or 12F. Requires a skin incision with blunt chest wall dissection and sutures. Standard (traditional) chest tube insertion. Chest tube types and sizes are as follows: A high-intensity fiber optic light for transillumination is helpful (see Chapter 40). 11 or 15 scalpel, scissors, a needle holder, antiseptic solution, antibiotic ointment, 1% lidocaine, 3-mL syringe, 25-gauge needle) sterile gloves, mask, eye protection, hat, gown, suction-drainage system (eg, the Pleur-Evac system). Prepackaged chest tube tray (sterile towels, 4 × 4 gauze pads, 3–0 silk suture, curved hemostats, a no.