Chest Tube

Indications:

A chest tube is mainly placed to drain the pleural space (space between the lung and the chest wall) of air or blood.  Though a simple procedure it may result in complications. While many of these complications are relatively minor, some require operative intervention that may lead to death.  The following list represents the most common complications associated with chest tube placement.

Acute complications (technique)

• Hemothorax (bleeding into chest cavity)
• Lung injury
• Diaphragm / Abdominal organ injury

Late complications

• Empyema (abscess in the pleural space)
• Pneumothorax (“Collapsed Lung”)

Examples of possible medical negligence:

• Chest tube placement can be a life saving procedure. When guidelines however are not followed complications may occur that may be the result of medical negligence.   Strict sterile technique needs to be followed and documented; if it is not and the patient develops an empyma, it may be due to medical negligence.  The standard of care dictates that a chest X-Ray be obtained after chest tube placement to asses positioning and effectiveness of the tube.  If there is no improvement and nothing is done to address the problem and the patient develops respiratory distress or cardiac arrest, then this could constitute breach in the standard of care.