Question

3) Explain how chest tubes are inserted.

Answer 1

Preparation which involves sterilizing the area and shaving the hair from the insertion site. Using an ultrasound to identifying a good location for inserting the tube may be done.
Anesthesia: as the doctor injects an anesthetic into the skin or vein to numb the area.

Incision: Using a scalpel, the doctor makes a small (¼- to 1 ½-inch) incision between the ribs, near the upper part of the chest.

Insertion involves the insertion of the tube in the appropriate place followed by stitching of the chest.

Drainage: The tube is finally attached to a special one-way drainage system that allowing the air or fluid to flow out only