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Introduction: Screening for pneumothorax (PTX) is standard practice after thoracostomy tube removal, with postpull CXR being the gold standard. However, studies have shown that point-of-care thoracic ultrasound (POCTUS) is effective at detecting PTX and may represent a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of POCTUS for evaluation of clinically significant postpull PTX compared with chest x-ray (CXR)., Methods: We performed a prospective, cohort study at a Level 1 trauma center between April and December 2022 comparing the ability of POCTUS to detect clinically significant postpull PTX compared with CXR. Patients with thoracostomy tube placed for PTX, hemothorax, or hemopneumothorax were included. Clinically insignificant PTX was defined as a small residual or apical PTX without associated respiratory symptoms or need for thoracostomy tube replacement while clinically significant PTX were moderate to large or associated with physiologic change., Results: We included 82 patients, the most common etiology was blunt trauma (n = 57), and the indications for thoracostomy tube placement were: PTX (n = 38), hemothorax (n = 15), and hemopneumothorax (n = 14). One patient required thoracostomy tube replacement for recurrent PTX identified by both ultrasound and X-ray. Thoracic ultrasound had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 95%, positive predictive value of 60%, and negative predictive value of 100% for the detection of clinically significant postpull PTX., Conclusions: The use of POCTUS for the detection of clinically significant PTX after thoracostomy tube removal is a safe and effective alternative to standard CXR. This echoes similar studies and emphasizes the need for further investigation in a multicenter study., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Thoracic trauma occurs frequently in combat and is associated with high mortality. Tube thoracostomy (chest tube) is the treatment for pneumothorax resulting from thoracic trauma, but little data exist to characterize combat casualties undergoing this intervention. We sought to describe the incidence of these injuries and procedures to inform training and materiel development priorities., Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DoDTR) data set from 2007 to 2020 describing prehospital care within all theaters in the registry. We described all casualties who received a tube thoracostomy within 24 hours of admission to a military treatment facility. Variables described included casualty demographics; abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score by body region, presented as binary serious (=3) or not serious (<3); and prehospital interventions., Results: The database identified 25,897 casualties, 2,178 (8.4%) of whom received a tube thoracostomy within 24 hours of admission. Of those casualties, the body regions with the highest proportions of common serious injury (AIS >3) were thorax 62% (1,351), extremities 29% (629), abdomen 22% (473), and head/neck 22% (473). Of those casualties, 13% (276) had prehospital needle thoracostomies performed, and 19% (416) had limb tourniquets placed. Most of the patients were male (97%), partner forces members or humanitarian casualties (70%), and survived to discharge (87%)., Conclusions: Combat casualties with chest trauma often have multiple injuries complicating prehospital and hospital care. Explosions and gunshot wounds are common mechanisms of injury associated with the need for tube thoracostomy, and these interventions are often performed by enlisted medical personnel. Future efforts should be made to provide a correlation between chest interventions and pneumothorax management in prehospital thoracic trauma., (2024.)

Background: New care paradigms are required to enable remote life-saving interventions (RLSIs) in extreme environments such as disaster settings. Informatics may assist through just-in-time expert remote-telementoring (RTM) or video-modelling (VM). Currently, RTM relies on real-time communication that may not be reliable in some locations, especially if communications fail. Neither technique has been extensively developed however, and both may be required to be performed by inexperienced providers to save lives. A pilot comparison was thus conducted., Methods: Procedure-naïve Search-and-Rescue Technicians (SAR-Techs) performed a tube-thoracostomy (TT) on a surgical simulator, randomly allocated to RTM or VM. The VM group watched a pre-prepared video illustrating TT immediately prior, while the RTM group were remotely guided by an expert in real-time. Standard outcomes included success, safety, and tube-security for the TT procedure., Results: There were no differences in experience between the groups. Of the 13 SAR-Techs randomized to VM, 12/13 (92%) placed the TT successfully, safely, and secured it properly, while 100% (11/11) of the TT placed by the RTM group were successful, safe, and secure. Statistically, there was no difference (P = 1.000) between RTM or VM in safety, success, or tube security. However, with VM, one subject cut himself, one did not puncture the pleura, and one had barely adequate placement. There were no such issues in the mentored group. Total time was significantly faster using RTM (P = .02). However, if time-to-watch was discounted, VM was quicker (P = .000)., Conclusions: Random evaluation revealed both paradigms have attributes. If VM can be utilized during "travel-time," it is quicker but without facilitating "trouble shooting." On the other hand, RTM had no errors in TT placement and facilitated guidance and remediation by the mentor, presumably avoiding failure, increasing safety, and potentially providing psychological support. Ultimately, both techniques appear to have merit and may be complementary, justifying continued research into the human-factors of performing RLSIs in extreme environments that are likely needed in natural and man-made disasters.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of presumptive antibiotics, used in chest traumas requiring thoracostomies, in preventing infections such as empyema and pneumonia., Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was conducted by two independent reviewers. Studies evaluating the role of antibiotics were included., Results: Antibiotic administration was associated with a lower incidence of overall infectious complications (OR:0.6, 95%CI: 0.43 to 0.84, p = 0.003). Subgroup analysis revealing that the best protective effect against empyema (OR:0.35, 95%CI to 0.65, p = 0.001). When stratified by trauma type, antibiotic use was protective in penetrating injuries, against empyema (OR:0.14, 95%CI: 0.04 to 0.47, p = 0.001) and pneumonia (OR:0.24, 95%CI:, 0.12 to 0.53, p = 0.001) while there was no protective effect in blunt trauma against empyema (OR:0.25 95%CI: 0.03 to 1.73, p = 0.16) or pneumonia (OR:1.22, 95%CI: 0.38 3.90, p = 0.72)., Conclusion: Presumptive antibiotic use in thoracostomies has a clear role in preventing infectious complications in trauma patients. This role is primarily attributed to their protective effect on penetrating trauma patients., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The presence of a chest tube is a factor significantly associated with pain and pain posttube thoracostomy that negatively affects sleep quality (SQ)., Aim: To determine the relationship between the pain severity and SQ of patients who underwent the tube thoracostomy (TT)., Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional survey conducted from May 1, 2018, to December 30, 2018, in the thoracic surgery department of Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. Data were collected using a questionnaire form, a Numerical Rating Scale to determine pain severity, and the Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to assess SQ., Results: The study was carried out with 102 patients who underwent the TT. The mean age of the participants were 48.94 years. The mean scores for the scale items indicated that during the procedure and on the first day of post-TT, the pain severity of the patients was very high, their SQ was low. Pain level decreased gradually in the following days, and the SQ increased. There was a positive, strong correlation between the post-TT first day pain and first night SQ (r = 0.380, p = 0.000), second day pain and second night SQ (r = -0.537, p = 0.000), and third day pain and third night SQ (r = -0.507, p = 0.000)., Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that the pain severity of post-TT significantly affect the quality of the patients' night sleep., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Tube thoracostomy is an important treatment for traumatic hemothorax and pneumothorax. The optimal tube diameter remains unclear. To reduce invasiveness, we use small-bore chest tubes (≤20 Fr) for all trauma patients for whom tube thoracostomy is indicated in our emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of small-bore tube thoracostomy for traumatic hemothorax or pneumothorax., Method: We conducted a retrospective observational study at a single emergency medical center. This study included adult patients (≥18 years old) who had undergone tube thoracostomy for chest trauma in the ED during the 5 years from October 2013 to September 2018. We used 20 Fr chest tubes or 8 Fr pigtail catheters. The examined outcome was tube-related complications, such as tube obstruction, retained hemothorax, and unresolved pneumothorax., Results: A total of 107 tube thoracostomies were performed in 102 patients. The mean Injury Severity Score of these patients was 17.8 (±9.6), and the mean duration of the tube placement period was 3.9 days (±1.8). Eight patients developed tube-related complications (7.8%) (retained hemothorax: 4 patients (3.9%), unresolved pneumothorax: 4 patients (3.9%)). None of these cases were caused by tube obstruction. Although the drainage itself was effective, they underwent definitive invasive interventions to stop bleeding or air leak., Conclusion: Our study showed that the use of small-bore (≤20 Fr) chest tubes to treat traumatic hemothorax/pneumothorax achieved the purposes of tube thoracostomy. It might be possible to safely manage chest trauma with small-bore chest tubes., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prehospital chest decompression can be a lifesaving procedure in severe chest trauma. Studies investigating prehospital chest decompression are mostly European where physicians are assigned to prehospital care units. This report is one of the first to compare demographics and outcomes in patients undergoing prehospital chest decompression by trained aeromedical nonphysician personnel to hospital chest decompression by physicians., Methods: Prehospital tube thoracostomy (PTT) patients were identified from January 2014 to January 2019 and were matched in a 1:2 ratio based on age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and chest Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) to patients who underwent hospital tube thoracostomy (HTT) within 24 hours of admission., Results: Forty-nine PTT patients were matched to 98 HTT patients. PTT patients had lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a higher rate of pre-chest tube needle decompression, and higher level 1 trauma activation. PTT were placed sooner (21.9 vs 157.0 minutes, P < .001). Rates of tube malposition, organ injury, tube dislodgement, empyema, and hospital-acquired pneumonia over the course of hospital admission were not significantly different between the 2 groups. PTT patients had longer intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), but similar hospital LOS, and overall mortality., Discussion: This report demonstrates that PTT is performed sooner than hospital placed tubes. Complication rates associated with tube thoracostomy and patient outcomes were not statistically different between PTT and HTT groups.

Purpose: Identification of tube thoracostomy insertion location is currently performed using a blind, landmark based approach at either the fifth intercostal space (ICS) or inframammary crease in the midaxillary line. A significant percentage of thoracostomies at this site result in complications. This pilot study aimed to assess whether bedside ultrasound could aid in identifying safer tube thoracostomy insertion sites in emergency department patients., Methods: Fifty emergency department patients were enrolled in this study. Right and left hemidiaphragms were evaluated with ultrasound at the fifth ICS. Observations were made on if the diaphragm was below, above, or crossed the fifth ICS during an entire respiratory cycle., Results: Eighty-one (95% confidence interval 72-82) of the diaphragms were below, 13 (95% confidence interval 8-21) of the diaphragms were at, and 6 (95% confidence interval 3-12) of the diaphragms were above the location marked using traditional landmark techniques. On the right and left hemidiaphragms, 20% (95% confidence interval 19.9%-20.1%) and 18% (95% confidence interval 17.9%-18.1%) of diaphragms were above or crossing the fifth ICS, respectively CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound identified a significant number of potential chest tube insertion sites at the fifth ICS that would result in subdiaphragmatic insertion or diaphragmatic injury. Based on this data ultrasound can be used to identify safer insertion sites and reduce thoracostomy complications., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Complications related to incorrect positioning of tube thoracostomy (TT) have been reported to be as high as 30%. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of flexible videoscope guided placement of a pre-loaded chest tube, permitting direct intrapleural visualization and placement (Video-Tube Thoracostomy [V-TT])., Methods: A prospective, single centre, phase 1 pilot study with a parallel control group was undertaken. The population studied were adult thoracic trauma patients requiring emergency TT who were haemodynamically stable. The intervention performed was VTT. Patients in the control group underwent conventional TT. The primary outcome was tube position as defined by a consultant radiologist's interpretation of chest x-ray (CXR) or CT. The trial was registered with ANZCTR.org.au (ACTRN: 12,615,000,870,550)., Results: There were 37 patients enrolled in the study - 12 patients allocated to the VTT intervention group and 25 patients allocated to conventional TT. Mean age of participants was 48 years (SD 15) in intervention group and 46 years (SD 15) years in the control group. In the VTT group all patients were male; the indications were pneumothorax (83%), haemothorax (8%) and haemopneumothorax (8%). The median injury severity score was 23 (16-28). There were 1 positional and 1 insertional complications. In the control group 72% of patients were male, the indications were pneumothorax (56%), haemothorax (4%) and haemopneumothorax (40%). The median injury severity score was 24 (14-36). There were 8 (32%) positional complications and no insertional complications., Conclusion: V-TT was demonstrated to be a feasible alternative to conventional thoracostomy and merits further investigation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The technique of tube thoracostomy has been standardized for years without significant updates. Alternative procedural methods may be beneficial in certain prehospital and inpatient environments with limited resources. We sought to compare the efficacy of chest tube insertion using a novel, endoscopic device (The Reactor™) to standard, open tube thoracostomy., Methods: Novice users were randomly assigned to pre-specified sequences of six chest tube insertions performed on a human cadaver model in a crossover design, alternating between the Reactor™ and standard technique. All subjects received standardized training in both procedures prior to randomization. Insertion site, which was randomly assigned within each cadaver's hemithorax, was marked by the investigators; study techniques began with skin incision and ended with tube insertion. Adequacy of tube placement (intrapleural, unkinked, not in fissure) and incision length were recorded by investigators blinded to procedural technique. Insertion time and user-rated difficulty were documented in an unblinded fashion. After completing the study, participants rated various aspects of use of the Reactor™ compared to the standard technique in a survey evaluation., Results: Sixteen subjects were enrolled (7 medical students, 9 paramedics) and performed 92 chest tube insertions (n = 46 Reactor™, n = 46 standard). The Reactor™ was associated with less frequent appropriate tube positioning (41.3% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.0029), a faster median insertion time (47.3 s, interquartile range 38-63.1 vs. 76.9 s, interquartile range 55.3-106.9, P < 0.0001) and shorter median incision length (28 mm, interquartile range 23-30 vs. 32 mm, interquartile range 26-40, P = 0.0034) compared to the standard technique. Using a 10-point Likert scale (1-easiest, 10-hardest) participants rated the ease of use of the Reactor™ no different from the standard method (3.8 ± 1.9 vs. 4.7 ± 1.9, P = 0.024). The Reactor™ received generally favorable scores for all parameters on the post-participation survey., Conclusions: In this randomized, assessor-blinded, crossover human cadaver study, chest tube insertion using the Reactor™ device resulted in faster insertion time and shorter incision length, but less frequent appropriate tube placement compared with the standard technique. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and potential advantages of this novel device.

Purpose: Tube thoracostomy is frequently used in thoracic trauma patients. However, there is no consensus on whether low pressure suction or water seal is the optimal method of tube management. Against this background, we performed a systematic review of studies comparing suction and water seal management of chest tubes placed for traumatic chest injuries in adults. Evaluated outcomes are duration of chest tube treatment, length of stay in hospital, incidence of persistent air leak, clotted hemothorax, and the need for (re-)interventions., Methods: A systematic literature search according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. Included studies were evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias, and according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines for assessing the quality of evidence., Results: After assessment of 120 identified studies, three RCT's (randomized controlled trials) were included in this review and meta-analysis. A favorable effect of suction was found for duration of chest tube treatment [MD (mean difference) - 3.38 days, P = 0.005], length of stay in hospital (MD -3.90 days, P = 0.0003), and the incidence of persistent air leak [OR (odds ratio) 0.27, P = 0.001]. No significant difference was found for the incidence of clotted hemothorax and (re-)interventions. The quality of evidence according to GRADE was low, except for persistent air leak (moderate)., Conclusions: Suction seems to have a positive effect on duration of chest tube treatment, length of stay in hospital and persistent air leakage in chest trauma. However, available data was limited and the quality of evidence was (very) low to moderate according to GRADE.

Purpose: Complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema are a leading cause of morbidity in the United States with over 1 million admissions annually and a mortality rate that remains high in spite of recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. The identification of high risk patients is crucial for improved management and the provision of cost-effective care. The RAPID score is a scoring system comprised of the following variables: renal function, age, purulence, infection source, and dietary factors and has been shown to predict outcomes in patients with pleural space infections., Methods: In a single center retrospective study, we evaluated 98 patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema who had tube thoracostomy (with or without Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy) and assessed treatment success rates, mortality, length of hospital stay, and direct hospitalization costs stratified by three RAPID score categories: low-risk (0-2), medium risk (3-4), and high-risk (5-7) groups., Results: Treatment success rate was 71%, and the 90 day mortality rate was 12%. There was a positive-graded association between the low, medium and high RAPID score categories and mortality, (5.3%, 8.3% and 22.6%, respectively), length of hospital stay (10, 21, 19 days, respectively), and direct hospitalization costs ($19,909, $36,317 and $43,384, respectively)., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the RAPID score is a robust tool which could be used to identify patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema who may be at an increased risk of mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and who may incur a higher cost of treatment. Randomized controlled trials identifying the most effective initial treatment modality for medium- and high-risk patients are needed.

Background: The optimal tube size for an emergent thoracostomy for traumatic pneumothorax or hemothorax is unknown. Both small catheter tube thoracostomy and large-bore chest tube thoracostomy have been shown to work for the nonemergent management of patients with traumatic pneumothorax or hemothorax. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of a small chest tube with that of a large tube in emergent thoracostomy due to chest trauma. Our hypothesis was that there would be no difference in clinical outcomes including tube-related complications, the need for additional tube placement, and thoracotomy, with the replacement of large tubes with small tubes., Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with chest trauma requiring tube thoracostomy within the first 2h from arrival at our emergency department over a 7-year period was conducted. Charts were reviewed for demographic data and outcomes including complications and initial drainage output. Small chest tubes (20-22 Fr) were compared with a large tube (28 Fr). Our primary outcome was tube-related complications. Secondary outcomes included additional invasive procedures, such as additional tube insertion and thoracotomy., Results: There were 124 tube thoracostomies (small: 68, large: 56) performed in 116 patients. There were no significant differences between the small- and large-tube groups with regard to age, gender, injury mechanism, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and injury severity score. Both groups were similar in the posterior direction of tube insertion, initial drainage output, and the duration of tube insertion. There was no significant difference in the primary outcomes of tube-related complications, including empyema (small: 1/68 vs. large: 1/56; p=1.000) or retained hemothorax (small: 2/68 vs. large: 2/56; p=1.000). Secondary outcomes, including the need for additional tube placement (small: 2/68 vs. large: 4/56; p=0.408) or thoracotomy (small: 2/68 vs. large: 1/56; p=1.000), were also similar., Conclusion: For patients with chest trauma, emergent insertion of 20-22 Fr chest tubes has no difference in the efficacy of drainage, rate of complications, and need for additional invasive procedures compared with a large tube (28 Fr)., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: A link between childhood radiation and future cancer risks exists, and reduction of unnecessary radiation in childhood has been recommended. Pneumothoraces, pleural effusions, and many surgical procedures require placement of a chest tube/pigtail catheter. Traditional management is daily x-rays, with an x-ray after tube removal. Our hypothesis is the "post pull" x-ray rarely results in changing clinical management of the patient., Methods: With IRB approval, a 5-year retrospective chart review was performed. Inclusion criteria were chest tube or pigtail placed for any reason with complete records. Data collected were demographics, reason for and duration of placement, number of x-rays done prior to and after removal. Primary outcome was whether the "post pull" x-ray changed clinical management., Results: A total of 179 episodes were evaluated. Seventeen were excluded for incomplete data, or death/transfer of the patient with the tube in situ. Forty-nine tubes/pigtails were placed for pneumothorax, 48 for pleural effusion/empyema, 9 for hemothorax, and 51 during operative procedure. A median of 5 x-rays was done post insertion. 99% of the patients (160/162) had a "post pull" x-ray performed after tube removal. In 9 cases the x-ray changed patient management., Conclusions: X-ray after chest tube/pigtail removal rarely changes patient management. We recommend considering imaging if there are clinical symptoms., Level of Evidence: Prognosis study, level II (retrospective cohort)., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Hemo/pneumothoraces are a common result of thoracic injury. Some of these injuries will be complicated by retained hemothorax (RH), which has previously been shown to be associated with longer hospitalizations. It has been proposed that early versus delayed intervention with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, hospital and ICU LOS, and costs in patients with RH. However, little is known regarding the effect of RH on these outcomes relative to patients with uncomplicated hemo/pneumothoraces. The aim of our study was to characterize factors present on admission that may be associated with RH and assess the impact of RH on outcomes., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted and included all patients who underwent tube thoracostomy (TT) for traumatic hemo/pneumothorax admitted to a single urban adult and pediatric level I trauma center from January 2008 to September 2013., Results: The study cohort included 398 patients, 17.6 % developed RH. RH was associated with significantly longer total duration of TT drainage (p < 0.001), hospital LOS (p < 0.001), and total hospital charges (p < 0.001). These associations remained significant in a subgroup analysis excluding patients with traumatic brain injury. Patients with bilateral injuries (OR 4.25, p < 0.001) and patients intubated on the day of admission (OR 2.30, p = 0.002) were significantly more likely to develop RH. There was also a small, but highly significant, association between increasing ISS and the development of RH (OR 1.07, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Our study suggests patients requiring ventilator support on admission and those with bilateral injuries are at increased risk of developing RH. Early identification of patients at risk for RH may allow for earlier intervention and potential benefits to the patient.

Introduction: Tube thoracostomy (TT) is a lifesaving procedure for a variety of thoracic pathologies. The most commonly utilized method for placement involves open dissection and blind insertion. Image guided placement is commonly utilized but is limited by an inability to see distal placement location. Unfortunately, TT is not without complications. We aim to demonstrate the feasibility of a disposable device to allow for visually directed TT placement compared to the standard of care in a large animal model., Methods: Three swine were sequentially orotracheally intubated and anesthetized. TT was conducted utilizing a novel visualization device, tube thoracostomy visual trocar (TTVT) and standard of care (open technique). Position of the TT in the chest cavity were recorded using direct thoracoscopic inspection and radiographic imaging with the operator blinded to results. Complications were evaluated using a validated complication grading system. Standard descriptive statistical analyses were performed., Results: Thirty TT were placed, 15 using TTVT technique, 15 using standard of care open technique. All of the TT placed using TTVT were without complication and in optimal position. Conversely, 27% of TT placed using standard of care open technique resulted in complications. Necropsy revealed no injury to intrathoracic organs., Conclusion: Visual directed TT placement using TTVT is feasible and non-inferior to the standard of care in a large animal model. This improvement in instrumentation has the potential to greatly improve the safety of TT. Further study in humans is required., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Postoperative pneumothorax and effusion remain a concern following congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair. Despite a recent trend away from intraoperative thoracostomy, few studies have actually compared outcomes with and without a chest tube. Rationale commonly cited for the more minimalistic approach include the presumed low likelihood of postoperative complications, potential risk of patch infection, and prolonged intubation. We evaluate these theories, as well as the implications of intraoperative chest tube (IOCT) placement., Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 174 patients who underwent CDH repair at our academic children's hospital from 2004 to 2015. We compared incidence of clinically significant pleural events between patients who received an IOCT (n = 49) and those who did not (NIOCT, n = 124). We also evaluated time to extubation and rate of patch infections., Results: Clinically significant pneumothorax or effusion occurred in 28% of NIOCT patients versus 10% of IOCT patients (P = .01). After thoracoscopic repair, time to extubation averaged 5.2 days in IOCT patients, 5.4 days in NIOCT patients with no postoperative complications, and 6.4 days in NIOCT patients requiring postoperative intervention. After open repair, time to extubation averaged 13.8, 13.6, and 22.5 days, respectively. There were no documented patch infections., Conclusions: Chest tube placement during CDH repair is associated with significantly lower incidence of clinically significant pleural complications, does not delay extubation, and results in shorter ventilator times than cases that require postoperative intervention. Patch infections are extremely rare. There is no evidence that chest tube placement increases this risk.

Introduction: Chest decompression can be performed by different techniques, like needle thoracocentesis (NT), lateral thoracostomy (LT), or tube thoracostomy (TT). The aim of this study was to report the incidence of prehospital chest decompression and to analyse the effectiveness of these techniques., Material and Methods: In this retrospective case series study, all medical records of adult trauma patients undergoing prehospital chest decompression and admitted to the resuscitation area of a level-1 trauma center between 2009 and 2015 were reviewed and analysed. Only descriptive statistics were applied., Results: In a 6-year period 24 of 2261 (1.1%) trauma patients had prehospital chest decompression. Seventeen patients had NT, six patients TT, one patient NT as well as TT, and no patients had LT. Prehospital successful release of a tension pneumothorax was reported by the paramedics in 83% (5/6) with TT, whereas NT was effective in 18% only (3/17). In five CT scans all thoracocentesis needles were either removed or extrapleural, one patient had a tension pneumothorax, and two patients had no pneumothorax. No NT or TT related complications were reported during hospitalization., Conclusion: Prehospital NT or TT is infrequently attempted in trauma patients. Especially NT is associated with a high failure rate of more than 80%, potentially due to an inadequate ratio between chest wall thickness and catheter length as previously published as well as a possible different pathophysiological cause of respiratory distress. Therefore, TT may be considered already in the prehospital setting to retain sufficient pleural decompression upon admission., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction/background: Occult pneumothorax (OPTX) is defined as air within the pleural cavity that is undetectable on normal chest X-rays, but identifiable on computed tomography. Currently, consensus is divided between tube thoracostomy and conservative management for OPTX., Methods: The aim of this retrospective study is to determine whether OPTX can be managed conservatively and whether any adverse events occur under conservative management. Data on all trauma patients from 1 Jan 2010 to 31 December 2012 were obtained from our hospital's trauma registry. All patients with occult pneumothorax who had chest X-ray (CXR) and any CT scan visualizing the thorax were included. The exclusion criteria included those with penetrating wounds; CXR showing pneumothorax, hemothorax, or hemopneumothorax; those with prophylactic chest tube insertion before CT; and those with no CT diagnosis of OPTX. The complications of these patients were analyzed to determine if tube thoracostomy is necessary for OPTX and whether not inserting it would alter the outcome significantly., Results: A total of 1564 cases were reviewed and 83 patients were included. Of these 83 patients, 35 (42.2 %) had tube thoracostomy after OPTX detection and 48 (57.8 %) were observed initially. Patients who had tube thoracostomy had similar ISS compared to those without (median ISS 17 vs. 18.5, p = 0.436). Out of the 48 patients who did not have tube thoracostomy on detection of an OPTX, 4 (8.3 %) had complications. In the group of 35 patients who had tube thoracostomy on detection of an OPTX, 7 (20 %) had complications. Of the 83 patients, a total of 12 patients had IPPV, of which 7 (58.3 %) had tube thoracostomy and 5 (41.7 %) did not. Patients who had tube thoracostomy under our care have a statistically significant likelihood of experiencing any complication compared to those without tube thoracostomy (odds ratio 9.92. The median length of stay was also longer (13 days) in those who had tube thoracostomy compared to those without (5 days) (p value = 0.008)., Conclusions: Our study suggests that patients with OPTX can be managed conservatively with close monitoring, but only in areas with ready access to emergency facilities should any adverse events occur.

Objective: Patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer often have metastatic disease in the upper abdominal region, especially to the right hemidiaphragm, which requires diaphragmatic resection in order to achieve optimal cytoreduction. The aim of this surgical video is to demonstrate repair of a diaphragmatic injury and placement of tube thoracostomy during right upper quadrant peritonectomy in a patient with recurrent ovarian cancer., Methods: This is the case of a 45-year-old woman presented with platinum sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Abdomen computed tomography also confirmed peritoneal carcinomatosis and pelvic recurrent mass. HIPEC was administered after complete cytoreduction including bilateral upper quadrant peritonectomy, during which diaphragmatic injury occurred near the central tendon and pleural cavity was entered. We inserted a chest tube through the 6th intercostal space in the anterior axillary line in order to prevent postoperative massive pleural effusion. Diaphragmatic defect was closed primarily after the tube placement. The chest tube was withdrawn on the third postoperative day and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 25 without any complications., Results: The central tendon of diaphragm is the most vulnerable part for lacerations. Diaphragmatic repairs could be performed by various techniques; interrupted or continuous, locking or non-locking sutures, with either permanent or absorbable materials. In our view, all of the techniques provide similar results and surgeons can choose any of them as long as they are comfortable with the procedure., Conclusion: In most cases, these lacerations can be repaired primarily without necessitating tube thoracostomy. However, performance of HIPEC can cause massive pleural effusions which can lead to significant pulmonary morbidity. Therefore, retrograde placement of the chest tube under direct vision is quite straightforward when the diaphragm is opened.

Introduction: Historical data suggests that many traumatic hemothoraces (HTX) can be managed expectantly without tube thoracostomy (TT) drainage. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of TT, including whether the quantity of pleural blood predicted tube placement, and to evaluate outcomes associated with TT versus expected management (EM) of traumatic HTXs., Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all trauma patients with HTXs and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥12 managed at a level I trauma centre between April 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012 was completed. Mixed-effects models with a subject-specific random intercept were used to identify independent risk factors for TT. Logistic and log-linear regression were used to compute odds ratios (ORs) for mortality and empyema and percent increases in length of hospital and intensive care unit stay between patients managed with TT versus EM, respectively., Results: A total of 635 patients with 749 HTXs were included in the study. Overall, 491 (66%) HTXs were drained while 258 (34%) were managed expectantly. Independent predictors of TT placement included concomitant ipsilateral flail chest [OR 3.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-8.80; p=0.04] or pneumothorax (OR 6.19; 95% CI 1.79-21.5; p<0.01) and the size of the HTX (OR per 10cc increase 1.12; 95% CI 1.04-1.21; p<0.01). Although the adjusted odds of mortality were not significantly different between groups (OR 3.99; 95% CI 0.87-18.30; p=0.08), TT was associated with a 47.14% (95% CI, 25.57-69.71%; p<0.01) adjusted increase in hospital length of stay. Empyemas (n=29) only occurred among TT patients., Conclusions: Expectant management of traumatic HTX was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay, no empyemas, and no increase in mortality. Although EM of smaller HTXs may be safe, these findings must be confirmed by a large multi-centre cohort study and randomized controlled trials before they are used to guide practice., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Prophylactic antibiotics for tube thoracostomy (TT) for the prevention of post-traumatic empyema (PTE) remain controversial. Literature specifically focusing on the developing world setting is limited., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a four-year period on patients managed with TT alone in which prophylactic antibiotics was not utilised. We documented the actual incidence of PTE in a high volume trauma service in South Africa., Results: A total of 1002 patients who had TT in the trauma room were eligible for inclusion. Ninety-one percent (912/1002) were males and the mean age for all patients was 26 years (SD 7). Seventy-five percent (755/1002) sustained penetrating trauma (PT), while the remaining 25% (247/1002) sustained blunt trauma (BT). Six hundred and twenty patients (62%) sustained HTXs and the remaining 382 patients (38%) had PTXs. Of the 1002 patients who underwent TT, 15 (1.5%, 95% CI: 0.8-2.5%) developed PTE. The incidence of empyema in those with PT was 1.9% (14/755) and 0.4% (1/247) for BT. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.166). All 15 patients who developed PTE were males, with a mean age of 31 years (SD 6). All 15 patients had HTX as the initial thoracic pathology. This difference was highly statistically significant when compared to PTX (p=0.002). The mean length of hospital stay was 11 days (SD 7). There were no mortalities in these patients., Conclusions: In our setting where prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely used, the actual incidence of PTE in our population is extremely low. In the absence of further definitive evidence to support its use, routine prophylactic antibiotics for TT is difficult to justify in a developing world setting at present., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Selective conservatism for thoracic trauma is well established but the emergence of new technologies may cause management strategies to continue to evolve., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on thoracic trauma patients managed in a single institution in South Africa over a 4-year period to determine the appropriateness of our current policy of selective conservatism., Results: A total of 1,239 patients were included in the study; 112 required an emergency thoracotomy, 125 were admitted for observation and 1,002 required a tube thoracostomy (TT). Ninety-one per cent of the patients were male and the median age was 24 years. Seventy-five per cent of the cases were penetrating trauma and the remaining were blunt trauma. The indications for TT were pneumothorax (PTX) (n=382, 38%), haemothorax (HTX) (n=300, 30%) and haemopneumothorax (HPTX) (n=320, 32%). A total of 13% (127/1,002) of all chest x-rays (CXR) following tube removal demonstrated residual pathologies that precluded immediate discharge: 32 (8%) in Group A (PTX), 44 (15%) in Group B (HTX) and 51 (16%) in Group C (HPTX). All 32 patients in Group A were simply observed and did not require further intervention. In Group B, 17 patients required repeat TTs and 27 required video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for clearance of residual HTX. Twenty-nine patients in Group C required repeat TTs and twenty-two required VATS., Conclusions: The vast majority of patients with thoracic trauma can be managed conservatively with TT alone. Residual pathology appeared to be lowest in patients with a PTX, which seldom requires treatment, while only a minority of patients required repeat TTs or VATS for a retained HTX. Selective conservatism is still appropriate in the current era in a developing world setting.

Background: Intercostal catheter (ICC) insertion is the standard pleural decompression and drainage technique for blunt and penetrating traumatic injury. Potentially high complication rates are associated with the procedure, with the literature quoting over 20% in some cases (1-4). Empyema in particular is a serious complication. Risk adverse industries such as the airline industry and military services regularly employ checklists to standardise performance and decrease human errors. The use of checklists in medical practice is exemplified by introduction of the WHO Surgical Safety checklist., Methods: The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia is an Adult Level 1 Trauma Centre. In August 2009 The Alfred Trauma Service introduced an evidence-based checklist system for the insertion of ICCs, combined with standardised formal training for resident medical staff, in an attempt to minimise the incidence of ICC related empyema., Results: Between January 2003 and July 2009 the incidence of empyema was 1.44% (29 in 2009 insertions). This decreased to 0.57% between August 2009 and December 2011 (6 in 1060 insertions) when the measures described above were introduced [p=0.038 Fisher's exact test, 2-tailed]., Conclusion: Quality control checklists - such as the ICC checklist described - are a sensible and functional means to standardise practice, to decrease procedural error and to reduce complication rates during trauma resuscitation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Routine chest radiography (CXR) following tube thoracostomy (TT) is a standard practice in most trauma centres worldwide. Evidence supporting this routine practice is lacking and the actual yield is unknown., Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 1042 patients over a 4-year period who had a routine post-insertion CXR performed in accordance with current ATLS® recommendations., Results: A total 1042 TTs were performed on 1004 patients. Ninety-one per cent of patients (913/1004) were males, and the median age for all patients was 24 years. Seventy-five per cent of all injuries (756/1004) were from penetrating trauma, and the remaining 25% (248/1004) were from blunt. The initial pathologies requiring TT were: haemopneumothorax: 34% (339/1042), haemothroax: 31% (314/1042), simple pneumothorax: 25% (256/1042), tension pneumothorax: 8% (77/1042) and open pneumothorax: 5% (54/1042). One hundred and three patients had TTs performed on clinical grounds alone without a pre-insertion CXR [Group A]. One hundred and ninety-one patients had a pre-insertion CXR but had persistent clinical concerns following insertion [Group B]. Seven hundred and ten patients had pre-insertion CXR but no clinical concerns following insertion [Group C]. Overall, 15% (152/1004) [9 from Group A, 111 from Group B and 32 from Group C] of all patients had their clinical management influenced as a direct result of the post-insertion CXR., Conclusions: Despite the widely accepted practice of routine CXR following tube thoracostomy, the yield is relatively low. In many cases, good clinical examination post tube insertion will provide warnings as to whether problems are likely to result. However, in the more rural setting, and in resource challenged environments, there is a relatively high yield from the CXR, which alters management. Further prospective studies are needed to establish or refute the role of the existing ATLS® guidelines in these specific environments., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Tube thoracostomy (TT) is widely used to resolve a number of pleural conditions. Few data are available on the complications of TT performed for non-traumatic conditions, especially in low income setting. The aim of this study is to analyse the indications and complications of TT performed for both traumatic and non-traumatic conditions of the chest in a low-income environment., Methods: This retrospective study conducted over a four years period in a the Regional Hospital, Limbe in South-West Cameroon analyses the rate and nature of complications after TT performed for both traumatic and non-traumatic conditions. Different factors related to complications are analysed., Results: We analysed 134 patients who had 186 chest tubes inserted. After placement, tubes were either connected to a water seal system (40%) or submitted to suction (60%). Most (91%) procedures were performed for a non-traumatic condition. Non-infectious pleural effusion in patients with HIV infection or pulmonary tuberculosis was the most common indication. Sixty six per-cents of procedures were carried out by a general surgeon. The complication rate was 19.35%. The most common complications included tube dislocation and pneumothorax. Most complications were solved by replacement of the tube. The nature of operator (general surgeon vs general practitioner) was a significant predictor of outcome (p < 0.01). No procedure related death was recorded., Conclusion: TT is a safe and efficient procedure to drain pleural collections of both traumatic and non-traumatic origins, even in low-income settings. The incidence of complications could be reduced by a better training of general practitioners on this procedure.

Introduction: The primary goal of this study was to compare the chest wall thicknesses (CWT) at the 2nd intercostal space (ICS) at the mid-clavicular line (MCL) and 5th ICS at the mid-axillary line (MAL) in a population of patients with a CT confirmed pneumothorax (PTX). This result will help physicians to determine the optimum needle thoracostomy (NT) puncture site in patients with a PTX., Materials and Methods: All trauma patients who presented consecutively to A&E over a 12-month period were included. Among all the trauma patients with a chest CT (4204 patients), 160 were included in the final analysis. CWTs were measured at both sides and were compared in all subgroup of patients., Results: The average CWT for men on the 2nd ICS-MCL was 38mm and for women was 52mm; on the other hand, on the 5th ICS-MAL was 33mm for men and 38mm for women. On the 2nd ICS-MCL 17% of men and 48% of women; on the 5th ICS-MAL 13% of men and 33% of women would be inaccessible with a routine 5-cm catheter. Patients with trauma, subcutaneous emphysema and multiple rib fractures would have thicker CWT on the 2nd ICS-MCL. Patients with trauma, lung contusion, sternum fracture, subcutaneous emphysema and multiple rib fractures would have thicker CWT on the 5th ICS-MAL., Conclusions: This study confirms that a 5.0-cm catheter would be unlikely to access the pleural space in at least 1/3 of female and 1/10 of male Turkish trauma patients, regardless of the puncture site. If NT is needed, the 5th ICS-MAL is a better option for a puncture site with thinner CWT., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Horner's Syndrome (HS), caused by the interruption of the oculosympathetic pathway, is a rare yet morbid complication of tube thoracostomy. However, literature regarding HS secondary to tube thoracostomy is limited to case reports, with little comprehensive information available. We report two cases and review all cases from the published literature to assess the outcome of this complication. HS secondary to tube thoracostomy leaves sequelae in 45.8% of patients. Immediate removal or repositioning of the tube does not affect prognosis. Therefore, precautions must be taken to avoid this complication., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction The incidence and management outcomes of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) requiring chest tubes are not well-described. This study sought to explore differences in tube thoracostomy rates and subsequent complications between patients with and without COVID-19 ARDS on V-V ECMO. Materials and Methods This study is a single institution, retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 ARDS requiring V-V ECMO. The control cohort consisted of patients who required V-V ECMO for ARDS-related diagnoses from January 2018 to January 2021. The primary outcome was any complication following initial tube thoracostomy placement. Study approval was obtained from the Brooke Army Medical Center Institutional Review Board (C.2017.152d). Results Twenty-five COVID-19 patients and 38 controls were included. Demographic parameters did not differ between the groups. The incidence of pneumothorax was not significantly different between the two groups (44% COVID-19 vs. 22% control, OR 2.8, 95% CI 0.95–7.9, P  = 0.09). Patients with COVID-19 were as likely to receive tube thoracostomy as controls (36% vs. 24%, OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.55–5.7). Complications, however, were more likely to occur in the COVID-19 group (89% vs. 33%, OR 16, 95% CI, 1.6–201, P  = 0.0498). Conclusions Tube thoracostomy placement in COVID-19 patients with ARDS requiring V-V ECMO is common, as are complications following initial placement. Clinicians should anticipate the need for re-intervention in this patient population. Small-bore (14Fr and smaller) pigtail catheters appeared to be safe and efficacious in this setting, but further study on tube thoracostomy management in ECMO patients is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study presents DraiNet, a deep learning model developed to detect pneumothorax and pleural effusion in pediatric patients and aid in assessing the necessity for tube thoracostomy. The primary goal is to utilize DraiNet as a decision support tool to enhance clinical decision-making in the management of these conditions. Methods: DraiNet was trained on a diverse dataset of pediatric CT scans, carefully annotated by experienced surgeons. The model incorporated advanced object detection techniques and underwent evaluation using standard metrics, such as mean Average Precision (mAP), to assess its performance. Results: DraiNet achieved an impressive mAP score of 0.964, demonstrating high accuracy in detecting and precisely localizing abnormalities associated with pneumothorax and pleural effusion. The model's precision and recall further confirmed its ability to effectively predict positive cases. Conclusion: The integration of DraiNet as an AI-driven decision support system marks a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare. By combining deep learning algorithms with clinical expertise, DraiNet provides a valuable tool for non-surgical teams and emergency room doctors, aiding them in making informed decisions about surgical interventions. With its remarkable mAP score of 0.964, DraiNet has the potential to enhance patient outcomes and optimize the management of critical conditions, including pneumothorax and pleural effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tube thoracostomy is rarely associated with serious bleeding complications. Although intercostal artery injury is a well-known bleeding complication, other vascular injuries in the chest wall have only rarely been reported. A 58-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis presented to the emergency department with dyspnea. He was diagnosed by chest computed tomography with spontaneous hemopneumothorax, for which he underwent tube thoracostomy. However, bleeding in the chest wall continued, which required chest tube removal and blood transfusion. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and angiography revealed contrast extravasation from the thoracodorsal artery, which confirmed a diagnosis of thoracodorsal artery injury. Because the thoracodorsal artery gives branches to the serratus anterior muscles that are located in the "triangle of safety," chest tube placement in this area is not always safe; it can still cause major bleeding complications from vessels such as the thoracodorsal artery. Hence, close monitoring for bleeding is needed after tube thoracostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeWhole-body computed tomography (CT) for blunt trauma patients is common. Chest CT (CCT) identifies "occult" pneumo- (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX) not seen on chest radiograph (CXR), one-third of whom get chest tubes, while CXR identifies "non-occult" PTX/HTX. To assess chest tube value for occult injury vs. expectant management, we compared output, duration, and length of stay (LOS) for chest tubes placed for occult vs. non-occult (CXR-visible) injury.MethodsWe compared chest tube output and duration, and patient length of stay for occult vs. non-occult PTX/HTX. This was a retrospective analysis of 5451 consecutive Level I blunt trauma patients, from 2010 to 2013.ResultsOf these blunt trauma patients, 402 patients (7.4%) had PTX, HTX or both, and both CXR and CCT. One third (n = 136, 33.8%) had chest tubes placed in 163 hemithoraces (27 bilateral). Non-occult chest tube output for all patients was 1558 ± 1919 cc (n = 54), similar to occult at 1123 ± 1076 cc (n = 109, p = 0.126). Outputs were similar for HTX-only patients, with non-occult (n = 34) at 1917 ± 2130 cc, vs. occult (n = 54) at 1449 ± 1131 cc (p = 0.24). Chest tube duration for all patients was 6.3 ± 4.9 days for non-occult vs. 5.0 ± 3.3 for occult (p = 0.096). LOS was similar between all occult injury patients (n = 46) and non-occult (n = 90, 17.0 ± 15.8 vs. 13.7 ± 11.9 days, p = 0.23).ConclusionMature clinical judgment may dictate which patients need chest tubes and explain the similarity between groups.

Aims The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence, management, and outcome of occult pneumothorax (OPTX) in patients with blunt chest trauma (BCT). Settings and design A retrospective observational study was performed. Patients and methods Over 9 years, cases with BCT were identified retrospectively from the database between 2012 and 2021. Data were evaluated and compared based on the first management (conservative vs. intercostal tube). Results Of the 2113 cases, 51 (2.4%) admitted with BCT during the study period were found to have OPTX. The mean age of patients was 37 ± 6.58 years, and there was a male predominance (78.43%). Intercostal tube intervention was done in 29 (53.8%) cases, and conservative management was done in 22 (43.13%) cases. Cases that needed tube thoracostomy had significantly higher rates of lung and chest contusions and high Abbreviated Injury Scale compared with those who were treated conservatively. However, pneumonia, rib fracture, hospital length of stay, and ventilatory days were insignificantly different between both groups. Overall mortality was 9.8%. Conclusions In cases with BCT that did not require major interventions or needed to be mechanically ventilated, their OPTX can be safely managed conservatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traumatic pneumothorax (PTX) can be deadly, and rapid diagnosis is vital. Ultrasound (US) is rapidly gaining acceptance as an accurate bedside diagnostic tool. While making the diagnosis is important, not all PTX require tube thoracostomy. Our goal was to evaluate the predictive ability of ultrasound in identifying clinically significant PTX. Methods: Over 13 months, data was collected on patients undergoing evaluation for trauma. Patients were included if they underwent US, radiograph chest X-ray (CXR), and computed tomography of the chest. Predictive ability of ultrasound was evaluated in identifying clinically significant PTX. Results: Ninety-four patients received evaluation by all 3 modalities. Of these, 32% were diagnosed with PTX. Sixteen patients (17%) had a clinically significant PTX. Chest X-ray and US both had a sensitivity of 75%; however, US had more than twice as many false positives, resulting in a much lower positive predictive value (63% vs 80%). Conclusions: While US can reliably rule out PTX, it may be overly sensitive diagnosing clinically significant PTX. Ultrasound alone should not be used in determining the need for tube thoracostomy as many patients will not require acute intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tube thoracostomy is a common procedure for which competency is expected of all trauma providers, both surgical and nonsurgical. Although surgery residents have fewer complications than other resident specialties, complications relating to position and insertion are reported. We hypothesized the use of our novel chest tube placement device will improve chest tube placement efficiency while maintaining accuracy compared to the open Kelly clamp technique across multiple specialties. A swine lab was conducted through an approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee device testing protocol. After a preprocedure, tutorial participants placed chest tubes with the device and Kelly clamps through predetermined incision sites. Placement positioning was determined by a postplacement chest X-ray. One way analysis of variance was used for intratechnique comparisons. Time to placement was compared using paired t -test; P- values of <0.05 were considered significant. Intrathoracic device placement occurred with 94.4% (N = 68) of placements compared to 93.1% (N = 67) of Kelly clamp placements (P = 0.73). The device-placed chest tubes were apically positioned 94.4% (N = 68) compared to 66.7% (N = 48) (P < 0.01) of Kelly clamp-placed chest tubes. Novel device use chest tube placement was significantly faster with a mean time of 39.3 (±27.7) s compared to 61.5 (±38.6) s for the Kelly clamp (P < 0.01). In this proof of concept study, our chest tube placement device improved efficiency and accuracy in chest tube placement when compared to the open Kelly clamp technique. This finding was consistent across thoracic trauma providers, including general surgery residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bedside ultrasound may safely replace chest radiograph after trauma tube thoracostomy removal. • Chest ultrasound was safely and accurately performed by surgical interns with minimal training. • Using chest ultrasound, rather than x-ray, after thoracostomy removal may save healthcare dollars. A chest radiograph (CXR) is routinely obtained in trauma patients following tube thoracostomy (TT) removal to assess for residual pneumothorax (PTX). New literature supports the deference of a radiograph after routine removal procedure. However, many surgeons have hesitated to adopt this practice due to concern for patient welfare and medicolegal implications. Ultrasound (US) is a portable imaging modality which may be performed rapidly, without radiation exposure, and at minimal cost. We hypothesized that transitioning from CXR to US following TT removal in trauma patients would prove safe and provide superior detection of residual PTX. A practice management guideline was established calling for the performance of a CXR and bedside US 2 h after TT removal in all adult trauma patients diagnosed with PTX at a level 1 trauma center. Surgical interns completed a 30-minute, US training course utilizing a handheld US device. US findings were interpreted and documented by the surgical interns. CXRs were interpreted by staff radiologists blinded to US findings. Data was retrospectively collected and analyzed. Eighty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Thirteen (15%) post removal PTX were identified on both US and CXR. An additional 11 (12%) PTX were identified on CXR, and 5 (6%) were identified via US, for a total of 29 PTX (33%). One patient required re-intervention; the recurrent PTX was detected by both US and CXR. For all patients, using CXR as the standard, US displayed a sensitivity of 54.2%, specificity of 92.3%, negative predictive value of 84.5%, and positive predictive value of 72.2%. The cost of care for the study cohort may have been reduced over $9,000 should US alone have been employed. Bedside US may be an acceptable alternative to CXR to assess for recurrent PTX following trauma TT removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurring among the most common findings in cases of metastatic disease, malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is identified in up to 15% of patients with cancer. This research was undertaken to provide an overview of advances in the treatment of MPE in recent years. A total of 186 patients with MPE were evaluated retrospectively after having consulted or been hospitalized in our hospital between March 2019 and December 2021. The evaluated data included gender, age, cause of effusion, treatment method, length of hospital stay, and complications. Lung cancer was in first place, affecting 64 of the patients treated for MPE. In this cohort, 142 patients had received a cytological diagnosis. These patients underwent pleurodesis with talc after tube thoracostomy. A definitive diagnosis could not be determined from the cytological samples of 44 patients. VATS was performed diagnostically and then pleurodesis was performed with postoperative talc. The complication rate was 13%. The mortality rate was 5%. Recurrence was observed in 37 patients during the 2-month follow-up period after the procedure. The optimal treatment of MPE remains uncertain, and treatment decisions require the cooperation of many medical departments. Nowadays, less invasive approaches are preferred in managing cases of pleural effusion. This treatment approach protects patients from the risks of more invasive interventions and reduces treatment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Tube thoracostomy (TT) is a simple and a life-saving procedure; nevertheless, it carries morbidity, even after its removal. Currently, TT is managed and removed by chest X-ray (CXR) evaluation. There are limitations and these are directly linked to complications. The use of thoracic ultrasound (US) has already been established in the diagnosis of pneumothorax (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX); its use, in substitution of CXR can lead to improvement in care. Our aim is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of US in the management of TT. Methods: Prospective and randomized study with patients requiring TT. They were divided in groups according to their thoracic injuries (PTX and HTX) and randomized into two groups according to TT management: US and CXR. Data collected included gender, age, mechanism of injury, days to TT removal, complications after TT removal and presence of mechanical ventilation. Results: Sixty-one patients were randomized, of which 68.8% were male. The most frequent diagnosis was PTX, present in 37 cases. Median time for TT removal was 2.5 days in the US group and 4.9 in the control group (p = 0.009). The complication rate was 6.6%, with no morbidity in the US group. TT removal in patients with mechanical ventilation did not increase the incidence of complications. Conclusions: The use of US in the management is efficient and safe. It allows early TT removal regardless the cause of the thoracic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of routine chest x-rays (CXR) following thoracostomy tube (TT) removal is highly variable and its utility is debated. We hypothesize that routine post-pull chest x-ray (PP-CXR) findings following TT removal in pediatric trauma would not guide the decision for TT reinsertion. Patients ≤ 18 y who were not mechanically ventilated and undergoing final TT removal for a traumatic hemothorax (HTX) and/or pneumothorax (PTX) at a level I pediatric trauma center from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes of interest were rate of PP-CXR and TT reinsertion rate following PP-CXR. Clinical predictors for worsened findings on PP-CXR were also assessed. Fifty-nine patients were included. A CXR after TT removal was performed in 57 patients (97%), with 28% demonstrating worsened CXR findings compared to the prior film. Except for higher ISS (p = 0.033), there were no demographic or clinical predictors for worsened CXR findings. However, they were more likely to have additional films following the TT removal (p = 0.008) than those with stable or improved PP-CXR findings. One (1.8%) asymptomatic child with worsened PP-CXR findings had TT reinsertion based purely on their worsened PP-CXR findings. The vast majority of PP-CXR did not guide TT reinsertion after pediatric thoracic trauma. Treatment algorithms may aid to reduce variability and potentially unnecessary routine films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the potential complications of acupuncture is pneumothorax, caused by the entry of the needle to the visceral pleura and damaging the lung parenchyma. Our patient suffered a bilateral pneumothorax and sudden respiratory failure. Our intention in this study is to offer a reminder of this rare and life threatening complication with this case report. A 51-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with dyspnea after acupuncture treatment at a hotel spa center. A physical examination revealed no respiratory sound in either lung. A chest X-ray revealed a bilateral pneumothorax. The patient was treated with a bilateral tube thoracostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Pneumothorax is detected in approximately 1-2% of all term newborns and this rate can reach 15-20% in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)'s; tube thoracostomy (TT) is the traditional treatment in symptomatic newborns. The management of neonatal pneumothorax, and etiologies, and risk factors related to mortality were evaluated in this study. Materials and Methods: A total of 6.647 newborns who were treated in the NICU during the last ten years were evaluated retrospectively. Newborns with pneumothorax were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were evaluated. Results: Pneumothorax was diagnosed in 124 (1.9%) newborns. The mean gestational age was 33.3±5.1 weeks and the mean birth weight was 2,163.7±899.4 grams; 101 (81%) were preterm and 40 (32%) were very low birth weight newborns. Seventy-four (58%) newborns were diagnosed as having Respiratory Distress syndrome, the diagnosis was transient tachypnea of the newborn in 43 (35%), Meconium Aspiration syndrome in 3 (2.5%) and pneumonia in 4 (3%). One hundred nineteen newborns were treated with TT. Spontaneous resolution was observed in five newborns with close follow-up. A total of 129 (bilateral pneumothorax in 20 newborns) tube thoracostomies were performed at the bedside with no major complication. The overall mortality rate was found to be 21%. Gestational ages were 33 weeks or less in 25 of the 26 deaths. Conclusion: Very low birth weight and prematurity in neonatal pneumothorax are associated with mechanical ventilation necessity and mortality. TT with small-bore chest drains is safe and effective in the management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who underwent tube thoracostomy in the emergency department (ED). The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate parameters such as the diagnosis for which the patients underwent tube thoracostomy, the imaging techniques used during diagnosis, and complications related to the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the ED between June 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016. The study included 125 patients aged >18 years, of both sexes, who presented to the ED during this period and who underwent tube thoracostomy. RESULTS: The patients comprised 91 (73%) males and 34 (27%) females. Of the 125 patients, 21 (17%) presented directly to the ED, 8 (6%) were referred from a polyclinic, 82 (66%) were brought by ambulance, and 14 (11%) were referred from another center. Reasons for presentation were traumatic in 64 (51%) and non-traumatic in 61 (49%) patients. The leading diagnosis was pneumothorax in 98 (78.4%) cases. The procedure of tube thoracostomy was performed by an emergency medicine (EM) resident for 26 (21%) cases and by a thoracic surgery resident for 99 (79%) cases. Complications were observed at the rate of 3.8% in the procedures performed by the EM residents and at 4% in those performed by the thoracic surgery residents. The mean follow-up time of the patients with tube thoracostomy was 7.5±4.4 days. CONCLUSION: In intensive trauma centers, in particular, and in centers where procedures such as central venous catheterization and diagnostic thoracentesis are frequently performed, it would be useful for EM physicians to undergo training in performing tube thoracostomy to a level where they are able to intervene in an emergency situation such as traumatic or iatrogenic pneumothorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 55-year old woman with a history of relapsed T-cell ALL presented with right pleuritic chest pain and decreased breath sounds over the right hemithorax. Imaging of the chest showed loculated effusions. Tube thoracostomy was performed with intrapleural application of alteplase and dornase alpha over a 3- day period. Repeat imaging demonstrated a marked decrease in the volume of the effusion. In most prior published cases of pleural cryptococcosis, surgical drainage was required in addition to prolonged antifungal agents. More than 50% of patients with cryptococcal infection have severe underlying disease or immunodeficiency state making them high risk for surgery. This is the first case to our knowledge of cryptococcal empyema successfully treated with tube thoracostomy and intrapleural fibrinolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horner syndrome or oculosympathetic paresis is a neurological pathology that occurs when the hypothalamus originating from the oculosympathetic nerve pathway is interrupted at any point from the hypothalamus to the end. The disease is clinically characterized by myosis, ptosis, endophthalmitis, and anhidrosis of the face. Iatrogenic Horner syndrome due to tube thoracostomy is very rare. Tube thoracostomy is a commonly used surgical procedure in different pulmonary pathologies. However, various risks may arise depending on the techniques used during the insertion of the tube, the placement of the tube in the thorax, and the length of time the tube remains in the thorax. In this paper, a case of ptosis on the second day of hospitalization due to tube thoracostomy for spontaneous pneumothorax was presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Traumatic iatrogenic pneumothorax occurs most often after a transthoracic needle biopsy. Since this procedure has become a common outpatient intervention, emergency department admissions of post-biopsy pneumothorax patients have increased. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that predict the need for tube thoracostomy in patients with post-biopsy pneumothorax in the emergency department. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 191 patients with post-biopsy pneumothorax who were admitted to the emergency department between 2010 and 2017. Patient characteristics, clinical findings at the emergency department presentation, and procedural and radiological features were reviewed. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed using the variables from univariate comparisons to determine the need for tube thoracostomy in patients with iatrogenic pneumothorax, and the effect sizes were demonstrated with odds ratios. Results: Tube thoracostomies were performed on 69 out of 191 patients (36.1%). A total of 122 patients (63.9%) were treated with supplemental oxygen therapy without any other intervention, and 126 patients (66.0%) were hospitalized. In the multivariate model, the variables predicting the need for a tube thoracostomy were decreased breath sounds, dyspnea, decreased systolic blood pressure, decreased oxygen saturation and increased pleuraelesion distance. A distance of 19.7mm predicted the need with a sensitivity of 69.6% and a specificity of 62.3%. Conclusion: Decreased breath sounds, dyspnea, decreased systolic blood pressure, decreased oxygen saturation, and increased pleura-lesion distance may predict the need for a tube thoracostomy in patients with post-biopsy pneumothorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spontaneous chylothorax is rare. Chylothorax as a manifestation of tuberculosis (TB) is very rare even in countries where TB is endemic. We report a case of left sided chylothorax due to TB in a 50-year-old male alcoholic who presented with hypotension and hyponatremia. TB was diagnosed through histopathological examination of mediastinal lymph node biopsy. Initial conservative treatment with four days of tube thoracostomy drainage was effective but chylothorax recurred one week later after starting anti-TB drugs. Resolution of chylothorax was achieved with repeat tube thoracostomy drainage for four weeks and daily anti-TB therapy with isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampicin and pyrazinamide for two months followed by daily isoniazid and rifampicin for four months. Patient recovered well and chylothorax did not recur during the follow up period of three months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Tube thoracostomy (TT) is a common yet potentially life-saving trauma procedure. After successful placement however, securing a TT through suturing is a skillset that requires practice, risking that the TT may become dislodged during prehospital transport. The purpose of this study was to examine if the iTClamp was a simpler technique with equivalent effectiveness for securing TTs. Materials and methods: In a cadaver model, a 1.5 inch incision was utilized along the upper border of the rib below the 5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. TTs (sizes 28Fr, 32Fr, 36Fr and 40Fr) were inserted and secured with both suturing and iTClamp techniques according to the preset randomization. TT were then functionally tested for positive and negative pressure as well as the force required to remove the TT (pull test-up to 5 lbs). Time to secure the TT was also recorded. Results: When sutured is placed by a trained surgeon, the sutures and iTClamp were functionally equivalent for holding a positive and negative pressure. Mean pull force for both sutures and iTClamp exceeded the 5 lb threshold; there was no significant difference between the groups. Securing the TT with the iTClamp was significantly faster (p < 0.0001) with the iTClamp having a mean application time of 37.0 ± 22.8 s and using a suture had a man application time of 96.3 ± 29.0 s. Conclusion: The iTClamp was effective in securing TTs. The main benefit to the iTClamp is that minimal skill is required to adequately secure a TT to ensure that it does not become dislodged during transport to a trauma center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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