We have reported previously that there is a high incidence of hemothorax and substantial mortality in rabbits that are given tetracycline derivatives intrapleurally. However, such complications have not been reported in humans when pleurodesis is attempted with tetracycline derivatives. One primary difference in the two situations is that a chest tube is placed only in humans. The objective of ...

Background Chest tubes are used in every case of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to evacuate shed blood from around the heart and lungs. This study was designed to assess the effective of Jackson-Pratt drain in compare with conventional chest drains after CABG. Materials and Methods This was a randomized controlled trial that conducted on 218 patients in Chamran hospital from February ...

INTRODUCTION Pneumothorax is a common problem in Denmark. Guidelines recommend insertion of small-bore (≤ 14 Fr) chest tubes or simple needle aspiration in spontaneous pneumothorax. Our objective was to investigate the management of pneumothorax in Danish hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS We undertook a questionnaire survey at all Danish acute hospitals enquiring about current practice in the m...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Small-bore chest tubes are widely used in the management of common pleural disease. Guidelines suggest that patients with malignant pleural effusions, pneumothorax and pleural infection may be successfully managed with small-bore drains. However, good quality data is often lacking. This article reviews the evidence for the treatment efficacy and potential adverse effects of di...

A 68-year-old woman with interstitial lung disease related to dermatomyositis and systemic scleroderma was admitted to our hospital with fever and dyspnoea. Although the fever was reduced after antibiotic therapy, a left pneumothorax suddenly occurred on day 27 after admission. A continuous air leak persisted despite chest drainage with three tubes and repeated pleurodesis. Chest computed tomog...

STUDY OBJECTIVES Previous articles have promoted the early use of thoracotomy and decortication for refractory empyema. This study examines thoracoscopy and decortication at the time of initial chest tube placement in pediatric patients with parapneumonic empyema. DESIGN We reviewed the medical records of 16 consecutive patients who were children with parapneumonic empyema. RESULTS Thirteen...

On needle aspiration, pleural fluid was viscous, for which a chest tube was inserted for drainage. Aspirated fluid was subjected to microscopic examination and culture. Gramstaining revealed many polymorphs. Patient was given i.v. amikacin and ceftazidime, but his condition did not improve. On the fifth day of admission, left thoracotomy with decortication and empyema drainage was performed. Tw...