Intercostal drainage Dr. S. Parthasarathy MD., DA., DNB, MD (Acu), Dip. Diab. DCA, Dip. Software statistics PhD(physiology) Mahatma Gandhi medical college and research institute, puducherry, India

Definition Insertion of a drainage tube into the pleural cavity Why ? To drain Air, Fluid, Blood – sometimes to inject drugs

Why we should drain such things ? Lungs expand

This is what we do !!

Indications Pneumo – any ventilated patient, recurrent pneumothorax, tension,large sec. pneumothorax, surgeries, malignant effusions, traumatic hemo pneumothorax, Empyema, flail chest req. ventilation

White out or black out Beware of bulla or severe collapse

CONTRAINDICATIONS I Need for immediate thoracotomy

Where ? A thoracentesis usually at bedside chest drainage system system is hooked up to allow for continuous drainage of either air, blood, or fluid. Often – as Emergency- well below chest level If goal is to remove air?- upper anterior chest, 2-4 intercostal space (catheter is inserted) If goal is to remove fluid/blood?-lower lateral chest 8-9 intercostal space (catheter inserted) ?? Previous

Its all “A”s AIR ABOVE ANTERIOR

Safe triangle- 1.latismus dorsi, 2.Pect. Major, 3.nipple line

Equipment Under water sealed drain system (UWSD) Tray – use smaller size for draining air – larger size for draining blood/fluid Newborn 8-12 FG, Infant FG Child FG, Adolescent FG

Technique sitting position at 45 degrees with arm of same side placed above head 3 or 4 ICS Anterior – anterior to ant axillary line Skin after LA – upper border of rib "Blunt dissect" to reach pleura

Technique Sweep with gloved finger Hold the tip of the catheter with a curved artery clamp and advance it into the pleural space, directing the catheter posteriorly and superiorly. All holes inside Attach to underwater seal below chest level Suture and anchor w/f swinging water

Check and maintain No big dressings With inspiration water will rise up into the chest tube, with expiration, water will fall. If the swing is less than 2 cm, the lung is not likely to be fully expanded and therefore suction may need to be increased

Maintenance – “tidaling” fluctuate gently up and down with each ` inspiration/expiration Tidaling stops – lungs reinflated constant or vigorous “bubbling” occur please check for a “leak” something is wrong

TIPS If no air or fluid comes, use gadgets except tension pneumothorax Flouro, Xray, USG No force used Small gauge catheter – ok, seldinger technique is acceptable Simple linear stitch

Never clamp ICD Because somebody may forget to remove the clamp and a tension pneumothorax may develop. Two tubing clamps should be left at the patients bedside to clamp the tube in emergency, if the tubing became dislodged from the chest tube bottle and air is at risk of entering the chest cavity.

Tips large pleural effusion should be controlled to prevent the potential complication of re-expansion pulmonary oedema No clamping prior to removal small chest tubes and a Heimlich flutter valve – OP management

Heimlich flutter valve

One is ok but fluid comes

Three bottle concept

Multifunction ICD -- adults and infants

When to remove In the presence of an air leak the drain should not be removed unless another drain remains In general a period of 48 hours after the last bubble is safe. In the presence of fluid, remember that cc normally drain from a pleural drain. Otherwise once the drainage is less than 150cc it may come out. Exceptions include the presence of pus (empyema), lymph (chylothorax) or a residual cavity

Complications Pain Thoracic or abdominal visceral trauma Tension pneumothorax Inadequate - subcutaneous emphysema Position change

Thank you all