ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research 
RMJ. 2008; 33(2): 141-144


Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim.

Abstract
Objective: To describe possible complications of thoracostomy tube insertion and common pitfalls regarding the management of the under water seal system.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at King Hussein Medical Center of the Royal Medical Services between December 2006 and January 2008. Two hundred twenty four patients were included in this study with 339 tube insertions. Complications related to the thoracostomy tube insertion and mistakes practiced by the medical staff regarding the management of thoracostomy tube and its system were documented and analyzed.
Results: There were 131 males (58.5%) and 93 females (41.5%). Age ranged from 15 to 86 years (mean 41±10.11). One hundred seventy one thoracostomy tubes (50.4%) were inserted in the operating theater post thoracotomy or thoracoscopic surgery, 99 (29.2%) were inserted in the intensive care unit and surgical wards, while 69 (20.4%) were inserted in the emergency department. The most common complications related to chest tube insertion were lung injury followed by intercostal vessels injury. The commonest mistakes related to the care of thoracostomy tube and its system were tube clamping during the transport of the patients, and improper handling of the negative suction system connected to the chest bottle.
Conclusion: All the complications related to chest tube insertion resulted from the trocar. Mistakes in dealing with the tube and its system were common. All physicians working in the surgical field, in particular general surgery residents and nurses should have special courses in chest tube management and care. (Rawal Med J 2008;33:141-144).

Key words: Thoracostomy tube, complications, pitfalls


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi
Articles by Fawaz A. Khamash
Articles by Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim
on Google
on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. RMJ. 2008; 33(2): 141-144.


Web Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=7407 [Access: December 06, 2023].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. RMJ. 2008; 33(2): 141-144.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. RMJ. (2008), [cited December 06, 2023]; 33(2): 141-144.



Harvard Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim (2008) Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. RMJ, 33 (2), 141-144.



Turabian Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. 2008. Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. Rawal Medical Journal, 33 (2), 141-144.



Chicago Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. "Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital." Rawal Medical Journal 33 (2008), 141-144.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim. "Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital." Rawal Medical Journal 33.2 (2008), 141-144. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Mohammad I. Al-Tarshihi, Fawaz A. Khamash, Abd Ellatif O. Al Ibrahim (2008) Thoracostomy tube complications and pitfalls: an experience at a tertiary level military hospital. Rawal Medical Journal, 33 (2), 141-144.