Patient education: Chest tubes and catheters (The Basics)

What are chest tubes and catheters? — Chest tubes and catheters are used to drain air or fluid from around the lungs. A chest tube is made of flexible plastic and can be as thin as a pencil or as wide as a penny. A catheter is a smaller tube (thinner than a pencil). You might also hear the term "thoracostomy" tube or catheter.

In some cases, you might have more than 1 chest tube or catheter put in.

Why might I need a chest tube or catheter? — Your doctor might put in a chest tube or catheter to:

●Treat a collapsed lung – This is also called "pneumothorax."

●Remove blood or other fluid that has built up around the lung – This is called a "hemothorax" or "pleural effusion." These problems can happen due to injury, infection, cancer, or another health problem.

●Help your lung expand after surgery – This might be needed after some types of heart, lung, or other surgery in the chest or upper belly area.

The chest tube or catheter will get rid of extra air or fluid from around your lung. This helps your lung to expand fully so you can breathe more easily.

How is a chest tube or catheter put in? — Chest tubes or catheters can be put in while you are awake, or during surgery while you are asleep. To put a chest tube or catheter in:

●You will get medicines to make you comfortable while the doctor puts in the tube or catheter:

•If it is being put in during surgery, you will get "general anesthesia." This will keep you asleep through your surgery, and you will not feel the chest tube or catheter being put in.

•If it is being put in while you're awake, your doctor might give you a medicine called a "sedative" through your IV. (An IV is a thin tube that goes into a vein.) This will help you relax and feel sleepy. You might also get "local anesthesia" medicines. These numb the area where the doctor puts in the chest tube or catheter.

●For a chest tube, your doctor will:

•Clean your skin, and make a small cut between your ribs

•Insert the tube through the cut. They might use imaging, such as ultrasound, to see where to put the chest tube.

•Stitch the chest tube in place, and cover it with a bandage

●For a catheter, your doctor will:

•Clean your skin

•Insert a small needle into your chest. They might use imaging, such as ultrasound, to see where the needle is.

•Put a "guidewire" through the needle and into your chest. Then, they will thread the catheter over the guidewire and insert it into your chest. Once the catheter is in the right place, they will pull the guidewire out.

•Secure the catheter in place using stitches or a "tube holder"

What happens after a chest tube or catheter is put in? — After the chest tube or catheter is put in, you might need more imaging tests. This is to make sure that it is in the right place. These tests will also show if you still have any air or fluid around your lung.

When the chest tube or catheter is in place, one end is inside your chest and the other end is outside of your chest. You might have a special one-way valve on the end of the tube. This valve lets air drain out of your chest. It also makes sure that no air goes back into your chest.

The tube or valve might be connected to some kind of "collection system." This could be a:

●Drainage bag

●Plastic "collection chamber" or other type of drainage unit

The drainage unit might need to be connected to suction to help your chest drain. You might hear a bubbling sound from the suction.

Once the tube or catheter is in, let your doctor know if it is easier or harder to breathe. This will help them make decisions about your future care.

When it is time to remove the chest tube or catheter, the doctor will remove your stitches if you got them, and the tube or catheter will slide out. The doctor will tape a bandage over the area. You might need to stay in the hospital until the tube or catheter is ready to be taken out, especially if you have a larger tube.

What are the risks of having a chest tube or catheter? — Certain problems can happen when a chest tube or catheter is put in. These include:

●The tube or catheter is put in the wrong place – You might need another tube put in.

●Infection

●Damage to your lung or other organs

●Fluid building up in your lung

If you go home with a chest tube or catheter, your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on how to care for it. They will also tell you what problems to watch for and when to call for advice.

More on this topic

Patient education: How to care for a chest tube or catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) (The Basics)
Patient education: Pleural effusion (The Basics)
Patient education: Pleuritic chest pain (The Basics)