• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.49-52
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• 2020

Background: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is commonly treated with chest tube insertion, which requires hospitalization. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy, costs, and benefits of a portable small-bore chest tube (Thoracic Egg; Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) compared with a conventional chest tube. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients who underwent treatment at Gangnam Severance Hospital between August 2014 and May 2018. Results: A total of 279 patients were divided into 2 groups: the conventional group (n=236) and the Thoracic Egg group (n=43). Of the 236 patients in the conventional group, 100 were excluded because they underwent surgery during the study period. The efficacy and cost were compared between the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding recurrence (conventional group, 36 patients [26.5%]; Thoracic Egg group, 15 patients [29.4%]; p=0.287). However, the Egg group had statistically significantly lower mean medical expenses than the conventional group (433,413 Korean won and 522,146 Korean won, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion: Although portable small-bore chest tubes may not be significantly more efficacious than conventional chest tubes, their use is significantly less expensive. We believe that the Thoracic Egg catheter could be a less costly alternative to conventional chest tube insertion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2018

Chest tube insertion is a common procedure usually done for the purpose of draining accumulated air or fluid in the pleural cavity. Small-bore chest tubes (${\leq}14F$) are generally recommended as the first-line therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax in non-ventilated patients and pleural effusions in general, with the possible exception of hemothoraces and malignant effusions (for which an immediate pleurodesis is planned). Large-bore chest drains may be useful for very large air leaks, as well as post-ineffective trial with small-bore drains. Chest tube insertion should be guided by imaging, either bedside ultrasonography or, less commonly, computed tomography. The so-called trocar technique must be avoided. Instead, blunt dissection (for tubes >24F) or the Seldinger technique should be used. All chest tubes are connected to a drainage system device: flutter valve, underwater seal, electronic systems or, for indwelling pleural catheters (IPC), vacuum bottles. The classic, three-bottle drainage system requires either (external) wall suction or gravity ("water seal") drainage (the former not being routinely recommended unless the latter is not effective). The optimal timing for tube removal is still a matter of controversy; however, the use of digital drainage systems facilitates informed and prudent decision-making in that area. A drain-clamping test before tube withdrawal is generally not advocated. Pain, drain blockage and accidental dislodgment are common complications of small-bore drains; the most dreaded complications include organ injury, hemothorax, infections, and re-expansion pulmonary edema. IPC represent a first-line palliative therapy of malignant pleural effusions in many centers. The optimal frequency of drainage, for IPC, has not been formally agreed upon or otherwise officially established.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.223-225
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• 2013

Chest draining is a common procedure for treating pleural effusion. Perforation of the heart is a rare often fatal complication of chest drain insertion. We report a case of a 76-year-old female patient suffering from congestive heart failure. At presentation, unilateral opacity of the left chest observed on a chest X-ray was interpreted as massive pleural effusion, so an attempt was made to drain the left pleural space. Malposition of the chest drain was suspected because blood was draining in a pulsatile way from the catheter. Computed tomography revealed perforation of the left ventricle. Mini-thoracotomy was performed and the drain extracted successfully.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.404-407
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• 2021

We present a case study of necrotizing fasciitis (NF), a very rare but dangerous complication of chest tube management. A 69-year-old man with shortness of breath underwent thoracostomy for chest tube placement and drainage with antibiotic treatment, followed by a computed tomography scan. He was diagnosed with thoracic empyema. Initially, a non-cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon managed the drainage, but the management was inappropriate. The patient developed NF at the tube site on the chest wall, requiring emergency fasciotomy and extensive surgical debridement. He was discharged without any complications after successful control of NF. A thoracic surgeon can perform both tube thoracostomy and tube management directly to avoid complications, as delayed drainage might result in severe complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.983-986
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• 2004

Background: The indications of closed thoracostomy drainage in management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is well known, but there is no special specification for the size to be inserted. Recently, various minimally invasive operational techniques have been introduced and researched. According to the trend, we tried to ascertain the efficacy of 12 Fr. chest tubes instead of the existing 24 Fr. chest tubes. Material and Method: Patients who were younger than 30 years old and diagnosed as primary spontaneous pneumothorax and treated with closed thoracostomy drainage were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively compared group A who were drained with 24 Fr. chest tubes from January to May 2003 with group B with 12 Fr. chest tubes from November 2003 to April 2004 on procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage, duration of chest tube drain, duration of hospital stay, complication, and recurrence. Result: The male to female ratio was 16 : 3 in group A and 18 : 2 in group B. The mean age of patients of group A was 21.7$\pm$4.0 and group B was 20.0$\pm$3.7. The mean procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage in group A (21.6$\pm$2.9 minutes) was significantly longer than group B (10.8$\pm$1.9 minutes)(p < 0.05). The mean duration of chest tube drain was 3.8$\pm$ 1.7 days in group A and 4.3$\pm$2.2 in group B, and the mean duration of hospital stay was 5.6$\pm$1.9 days in group A and 5.2$\pm$1.5 days in group B. There was no complication in both groups and 6 cases in group A (35%) and 5 cases in group B (25%) were operated because of recurrence and persistent air leakage. In conclusion, there was no statistical difference except for the procedure time for closed thoracostomy drainage between two groups. Conclusion: We concluded that there were no significant differences in efficacy between 12 Fr. chest tube and 24 Fr. chest tube in closed thoracostomy drainage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax and we found advantages of 12 Fr. chest tube in shortening procedure time because of easy and simple techniques.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.185-189
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• 2016

Background: For treatment of pneumothorax in Korea, many institutions hospitalize the patient after chest tube insertion. In this study, a portable small-bore chest tube (Thoracic Egg; Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was used for pneumothorax management in an outpatient clinic. Methods: Between August 2014 and March 2015, 56 pneumothorax patients were treated using the Thoracic Egg. Results: After Thoracic Egg insertion, 44 patients (78.6%) were discharged from the emergency room for follow-up in the outpatient clinic, and 12 patients (21.4%) were hospitalized. The mean duration of Thoracic Egg chest tube placement was 4.8 days, and the success rate was 73%; 20% of patients showed incomplete expansion and underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. For primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients, the success rate of the Thoracic Egg was 76.6% and for iatrogenic pneumothorax, it was 100%. There were 2 complications using the Thoracic Egg. Conclusion: Outpatient treatment of pneumothorax using the Thoracic Egg could be a good treatment option for primary spontaneous and iatrogenic pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.190-194
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• 1977

An analysis of 503 pulmonary resection is presented, with the following points of interest; 1] By using a stapling device, the operation time is shortened, more lung tissue can be saved, and post-operative complications are fewer. 2] By comparison with a previous series, postoperative drainage from the chest is decreased when the stapling device is used. In the present series 82% of patients has less than 500 cc of drainage post-operatively. Average required whole blood replacement was less than 800 cc in this series of patients. 3] Only 13 patients, or 2.6% developed a bronchopleural fistula, and only 8 patients, or 1.5% developed post-operative empyema when the stapling device was used. 4] Because of the decreased air leaks when the stapling device is used, the anterior and posterior tubes can be removed sooner. 5] With careful preservation of lung tissue and paralysis of the phrenic nerve, post operative `dead space" is not a problem after the pulmonary lobectomy. Thus thoracoplasty is not necessary to eliminate "dead space".

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 1995

Autotransfusion system is a common method of reducing the need of intraoperative and postoperative homologous blood transfusion in cardiac operation. Between August 1991 and August 1993, a series of 51 adults undergoing open heart surgery was selected. Autotransfusion using Cell Saver [COBE Baylor Rapid Autologous Transfusion System was done with homologous blood transfusion in 15 cases [Group II or without homologous blood transfusion in 17 cases [Group III . The other 19 cases were taken without Cell Saver for control [Group I . The shed blood in the operative field, remained blood in the oxygenator after cardiopulmonary bypass, and blood drained from chest tubes in postoperative care were aspirated by means of a locally heparinized collection system. After the salvaged blood was washed and centrifuged, the processed blood subsequently reinfused. Composition of processed blood by Cell Saver was hemoglobin 16.9gm%, hematocrit 49%, RBC 5,140,000/ml, WBC 670/ml, and platelet 30,000/ml. In three group, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet counts were decreased postoperatively, but no significant differences between three group. Postoperatively, the amounts of drainage from chest tubes was 543$\pm$121ml in Group I, 809$\pm$201ml in Group II, and 631$\pm$147ml in Group III. In Group II, there was large amount of drainage compared with Group I [p<0.05 . The amount of homologous blood transfused was 1116$\pm$219 ml in Group I, 791$\pm$183 ml in Group II [p<0.05 . The homologous blood was not transfused in 17 cases [53% with Cell Saver.Preoperative and postoperative, coagulation parameters showed no significant differences between three group. And there was no complication related to Cell Saver. We conclude that the autotransfusion using Cell Saver is effective for reducing the homologous blood transfusion in cardiac surgery.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-110
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• 2019

Bilateral chylothorax due to blunt trauma is extremely rare. We report a 74-year-old patient that developed delayed bilateral chylothorax after falling off a ladder. The patient had a simple 12th rib fracture and T12 lamina fracture. All other findings seemed normal. He was sent home and on the 5th day visited our emergency center at Halla Hospital with symptoms of dyspnea and lower back pain. Computer tomography of his chest presented massive fluid collection in his right pleural cavity and moderate amounts in his left pleural cavity with 12th rib fracture and T11-12 intervertebral space widening with bilateral facet fractures. Chest tubes were placed bilaterally and chylothorax through both chest tubes was discovered. Conservative treatment for 2 weeks failed, and thus, thoracic duct ligation was done by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Thoracic duct embolization was not an option. Postoperatively, the patient is now doing well and happy with the results. Early surgical treatment must be considered in the old patient, whom large amounts of chylothorax are present.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2008

Purpose: Patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass graft surgery(CABG) experienced the unpleasant emotions and discomfort when their chest tube was removed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cold therapy on pain related to chest tube removal(CTR) in CABG patients. Methods: Fifty adult patients undergoing CABG were recruited in a prospective, double blinded study. Subjects were divided into the experimental group and the control group considering their sex and age. The pretest data were obtained 20 minutes before CTR. Patients in the experimental group, received cold therapy for 10 minutes before CTR. Pain sense and intensity were determined immediately after CTR and at 10 minutes after CTR. Results: The total score of pain sense immediately after CTR of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group(t=-3.703, p=.003). And scores of pain intensity immediately after CTR in the experimental group were significantly lower than that of the control group(t=-3.073, p=.001). But, there was no significant difference in the score of pain intensity 10 minutes after CTR between the experimental and the control group(t=1.759, p=.085). Conclusion: The cold therapy would be recommended as an effective and nonpharmacologic nursing intervention for relieving pain in patients undergoing CTR.