We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Chest Tubes?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,699
Share

Chest tubes are tubes that are usually made of a slightly flexible plastic material that is clear. Under a number of circumstances, people might require one or more chest tubes, often because they have the presence of too much air or fluid in between the pleura. Pleura are delicate double-layered tissue lining around the lungs.

Though most often associated with evacuating air or fluid, a chest tube can serve different purposes, especially right after open-heart surgery, and occasionally a similar drainage tube, that may be narrower in width, is placed in the chest at the pericardium to drain fluid from around the heart during pericardial effusion. Many people simply refer to these as a chest tubes, too.

Chest tube insertion may take place under a variety of circumstances. During open-heart surgery, it’s important to make sure any remaining blood from the surgery properly drains. For this reason, frequently at least one chest tube is inserted before a patient leaves the operating room. This is by no means the only way insertion can occur.

When people present with illnesses such as a collapsed lung or huge accumulation of fluid in the pleura, chest tube insertion could take place at bedside. This may require some numbing of the area with a local anesthetic. An incision is made and widened, and the chest tube inserted into the area. It is sutured and normally taped in place so it doesn’t move, and the exit end of the tube may be connected to a syringe or often a drainage collection device so that fluid amounts may be calculated precisely.

If chest tubes must remain in place for a while, fluid amounts flow passively into the collection area, and it is possible to move around with a tube in place, which may help with drainage. It does mean having to carry the collection device and this may be a little difficult.

Some people may feel some discomfort from the actual tube and doctors might suggest minor pain relievers to manage this issue. In children who have heart surgery, chest tube placement may not repress natural energy or be a huge source of pain, but parents do need to make certain that children don’t accidentally withdraw chest tubes. This is certainly a risk with more active children or those frustrated by remaining in bed.

The length of time people will need chest tubes depends on condition, degree of drainage and body response to the tube. Some people with persistent fluid accumulation could need one for some time, and others have a tube removed very shortly after having it placed. When it is removed, the incision area is stitched closed, but it may leave a small scar. After removal, patients may still be surveyed to be certain any condition doesn’t worsen, which might necessitate placement of another tube.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-chest-tubes.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.