pleuradræn

A pleuradræn, also known as a chest tube or thoracic drain, is a flexible plastic tube inserted through the chest wall into the pleural space. The pleural space is the thin area between the lungs and the chest wall. This procedure is performed to remove abnormal collections of fluid, pus, or air from this space.

The primary indications for a pleuradræn include pneumothorax (air in the pleural space), hemothorax (blood in the pleural space), pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space), and empyema (pus in the pleural space). It can also be used after thoracic surgery to drain residual air or fluid.

The insertion of a pleuradræn is a medical procedure typically performed by a physician. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area before the tube is inserted. Once in place, the tube is connected to a drainage system. This system can be underwater seal drainage, active suction, or passive drainage, depending on the clinical situation.

The purpose of the pleuradræn is to re-expand the lung in cases of collapse or to prevent the accumulation of substances that can compress the lung and impair breathing. The drainage system allows for the removal of the abnormal content while preventing air from re-entering the pleural space. Patients with a pleuradræn are monitored for drainage output, lung re-expansion, and signs of infection. The tube is typically removed once the abnormal collection has resolved and the lung has fully re-expanded.