Chest Drain

Key points

• Chest drain A chest drain is a tube inserted into the pleural cavity which creates a one-way valve, allowing movement of air or liquid out of the cavity. Chest drain insertion is indicated in cases of:
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax not suitable for conservative management or aspiration
• Haemopneumothorax
• In some cases of penetrating chest wall injury in ventilated patients Insertion of a chest drain is relatively contraindicated in patients with any of the following: