What is a small-bore chest tube?

Small-bore chest tubes were defined as those with a diameter ≤ 14 Fr, while LB chest tubes sizes were those with a diameter > 14 Fr [8]. Defining SB chest tubes by the ≤14 Fr cutoff is arbitrary, and was done to aid in comparing the results of the current study to existing studies [6, 8, 10].

Where is the chest tube placed in a pneumothorax?

For pneumothorax, the tube is usually inserted in the 4th intercostal space, and for other indications in the 5th intercostal space, in the mid-axillary or anterior axillary line. Mark the insertion site. Prepare the area at and around the insertion site using an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine.

What is a pigtail catheter pneumothorax?

Small-bore chest tubes – also referred to as pigtail catheters – are being used to relieve both spontaneous and in some cases, traumatic pneumothorax. These pigtails are placed with a Seldinger catheter-over-wire technique very similar to the central venous catheter insertion.

What size chest tube is used for pneumothorax?

The primary treatment strategy for spontaneous pneumothorax at our hospital is chest tube drainage but the decision to use different types and sizes is left to the discretion of the attending surgeon and can vary from a silicone chest tube (size 21–24 Fr) or a pigtail catheter (size 12–16 Fr).

What size is a large-bore chest tube?

Both American and Japanese trauma care guidelines recommend large-bore (36–40 Fr in the ATLS and 28 Fr in the JATEC) chest tubes.

What is the ICD 10 code for pneumothorax?

J93.9
J93. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What is the difference between pigtail catheter and chest tube?

The main disadvantages are their ineffectiveness in draining thick fluids, their higher liability to clogging, kinking, and obstruction. Chest tubes, on the other hand, have larger diameters allowing faster and more efficacious drainage of thick fluids and hemothorax.

What size is a pigtail catheter?

Pigtail catheters (Dawson-Mueller Drainage Catheters, Cook Medical Interventional Radiology, UK) had the size of 8.5–14 French (2.8–4.7 mm in diameter). Detailed history taking and complete medical examination were done to all patients.

When do you use a hemothorax chest tube?

A chest tube is usually put to water seal after the lung is fully reexpanded on radiography, fluid drainage is less than 50 mL in 24 hours, and no significant residual air leak is present.

What is the normal size for a chest tube?

Chest tubes, like most catheters, are measured in French catheter scale. For adults, 20 Fr to 40 Fr (6.7 to 13.3mm external diameter) are commonly used, and 6 Fr to 26 Fr for children.