SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
A yoke constructed from a segment of chest tube provides secure U-tube fixation during the early postoperative period. The complications of U-tube dislodgement and bile leakage are thus avoided.
Between June 1994 and June 1995, 30 patients aged 6 months to 21 years (mean age, 6.38 years) underwent surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus without tube thoracostomy. Comparison of surgical results with the results of 143 previous consecutive cases of patent ductus arteriosus performed with the conventional technique using chest tube thoracostomy revealed a statistically significant difference in postoperative temperature, need for narcotics, hospital stay and certain complications such as pneumothorax. There was no mortality and late results were excellent. It is concluded that patent ductus arteriosus closure without tube thoracostomy is feasible and can be safe, more comfortable and more cost effective than the standard procedure.
A patient developed tension pneumothorax immediately after extubation. The patient was a 53-year-old man, who underwent total gastrectomy under general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia. The posterior mediastinum drainage tube was placed near the site of esophago-jejunum anastomosis. Surgeons reported that they might have injured left diaphragmatic pleura during the procedure. Postoperative chest X-ray showed no abnormal findings in the both lung fields. Patient's trachea was extubated when he emerged from anesthesia. However, Spo2 rapidly dropped from 100 to 88. Re-intubation was performed, and positive pressure ventilation was resumed. The Spo2 returned quickly to 100 without hemodynamic change. Auscultation revealed reduced respiratory sound from the left lung. Diagnosis of tension pneumothorax was made from emergency chest X-ray. Patient's respiration improved when chest tube was inserted, but a large amount of air was continuously drained. Air leakage decreased significantly when the mediastinum drainage tube was tentatively occluded. The possible mechanism of the positive pressure in the thoracic cavity was assumed that air was introduced with spontaneous inspiration from the drainage tube, and damaged pleura played as a check valve.
This article is the eighth in our 'Care is Critical' series on complex interventions nurses have to manage in acute general wards and in the community. This article looks at the management of pleural drains and gives an overview of the relevant anatomy and physiology. Some of the conditions that may result in a chest tube being inserted are described and the nursing care discussed.
Our objective was to compare the efficacy of adjunctive intrapleural fibrinolytic agents (IPFA) (streptokinase, urokinase) on fibrinopurulent stage empyema and chronic stage empyema in children. IPFA were used in 78 pediatric patients with empyema (36 fibrinopurulent stage empyemas, 42 chronic stage empyemas) between December 1994 and September 2002. Pleural biopsy was done for staging in all cases. Streptokinase 250,000 units in 100 ml normal saline (62 patients) or 100,000 units urokinase in 100 ml normal saline (16 patients) was instilled daily into the patient's chest tube, and the tube was clamped for 4 h, followed by suction. This treatment was continued daily for 2-8 days until resolution was demonstrated by chest radiographs and/or computed chest tomography. Success of treatment was 97.2% (complete response 24/36, partial response 11/36) in the fibrinopurulent stage and 9.4% (complete response 2/42, partial response 2/42) in chronic empyema cases. In one patient with fibrinopurulent empyema, the treatment was stopped due to allergic reaction and pleural hemorrhage; this patient died 1 day later in a septic condition. Although an invasive method, the pleural biopsy technique may be an alternative way of more properly staging thoracic empyema in selected children in whom staging based on radiographic and biochemical findings is doubtful. Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment is an effective and safe therapy of choice and may have significant benefit in most children with fibrinopurulent phase empyema, except for those with bronchopleural fistula. IPFA do not seem to be effective in children with chronic phase empyema.
Penetrating chest trauma occurs worldwide, and various accounts of it have been reported in the literature.(1)(-)(5) Blunt trauma is not usually associated with military or civilian violence, while penetrating chest trauma often is. Penetrating chest trauma is frequently caused by gunshots and non gunshot-related incidents such as stabs, traffic accidents, and impalements. This prospective study was conducted to determine a pattern of penetrating thoracic injuries, including their causes, the role of surgery, and intervention outcomes. In this study, we treated 168 patients (142 males and 26 females, giving a male-to-female ratio of 5.5:1). Gunshots caused 60.1% of the injuries while traffic accidents caused 27.3% of the injuries. Chest tube insertion alone was the main treatment initiated. This technique was used on 73.8% of the patients. To reduce the occurrence of penetrating chest trauma in Lagos, Nigeria, study results suggest that the Nigerian people and their property need greater security, and that pre-hospital level of care for trauma victims must improve.
BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) may increase the risk of nosocomial pneumonia caused by profound irreversible gastric acid suppression. The study purpose was to characterize differences in nosocomial pneumonia and related infections in trauma patients administered either histamine2-receptor antagonists (H2RA) or PPI. METHODS: Observational evaluation of consecutive critically ill adult trauma patients administered either omeprazole or famotidine during a 22-month period. Nosocomial infection was evaluated daily based on published CDC definitions. RESULTS: Eighty of 269 patients fulfilled study criteria. The PPI group (n = 40) exhibited increased baseline risk for infection, demonstrated by higher ISS (p = 0.020), more chest tube placements (p = 0.031), and increased chest trauma (p = 0.025). Overall number of patients infected per group included 33% and 40% of patients administered PPI and H2RA, respectively (p = 0.64). Despite baseline differences, the incidence of nosocomial infection was similar (p = 0.87), and extrapolation of pneumonia based on 1000 patient days revealed a ratio 51.7 vs 52.2 in the PPI vs H2RA groups, respectively, which was not significant (p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Proton pump inhibitor administration does not increase risk of nosocomial pneumonia or other nosocomial infections compared with H2RA therapy in the critically ill trauma patient.
The incidence of pleural effusions in bacterial pneumonia may exceed 40%, a factor that may be related to increased morbidity and mortality. Options in the treatment of complicated pleural effusions or empyema, when unresponsive to closed tube drainage, include repositioning of the indwelling tube thoracostomy or insertion of additional chest tubes, instillation of intrapleural streptokinase, and surgical intervention. The authors describe the course of three patients wherein the use of intrapleural streptokinase was efficacious in effecting prompt drainage of previously inadequately evacuated empyema, thus eliminating the necessity for further invasive intervention.
Surgical patients present unique opportunities for reducing allogeneic transfusions via perioperative blood salvage. Intraoperative cell saver techniques enable the collection of autologous blood from the surgical field and cardiopulmonary bypass circuit for return to the patient. Washing and hemoconcentration creates a product with an average hematocrit of 50% that carries normal erythrocyte survival, with minimal coagulation factors of platelets. Postoperative autotransfusion of shed blood from chest tubes or surgical drains enables additional blood conservation, reducing allogeneic transfusions by as much as 50%. Both intermittent and continuous autotransfusion systems using standard chest drainage equipment are available that require minimal setup and maintenance at the bedside. The hematocrit of shed blood is 20-25%, with depletion of clotting factors and platelet function. Potential advantages of perioperative blood salvage include the ready availability of large volumes of patient-compatible blood, with optimal oxygen-carrying capacity, that is virtually free from the risk of viral contamination. Specific indications, contraindications, and techniques for the salvage and administration of these vital products are presented.
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the usefulness of CT in evaluating children who do not respond appropriately to treatment for pneumonia, when chest radiography is noncontributory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six contrast-enhanced CT scans were compared with radiographs obtained on the same day in children with complicated pneumonia. CT scans were evaluated for clinically significant findings that were not revealed by radiography: lung parenchymal complications (cavitary necrosis, abscess, decreased enhancement, bronchopleural fistula, or cavity suspected on radiography but not seen on CT), pleural complications (loculation, malpositioned chest tube), inaccurate estimation of cause of chest opacity on radiography (pleural versus parenchymal), bronchial obstruction, or pericardial effusion. RESULTS: One hundred ten CT findings, not revealed by radiography, were seen on 56 CT scans (2.0 per CT scan): parenchymal complications (n = 40), pleural complications (n = 37), inaccurate estimation of cause of chest opacity on radiography (n = 20), pericardial effusion (n = 13). All CT scans showed at least one significant finding (100% yield) not seen on radiography. CONCLUSION: In the evaluation of children with complicated pneumonia, CT often reveals clinically significant findings not apparent on radiography.
Between 50 to 60% of all polytraumatized patients have a thoracic injury with a mortality of 30 to 60%. The first diagnostic steps involving symptoms such as in- or expiratory pain, emphysema of the skin, flail chest or sipping noise lead via clinical examination to first and often definitive therapeutic procedures, i.e. intubation, artificial respiration and insertion of chest tube. X-ray of the chest, computed tomography as well as ultrasonic screening and monitoring of arterial blood gases are important in in-door technical diagnosis. The decision for emergency room thoracotomy or a regular or delayed operation has to be made at times. Complications (20%) to consider are pneumo- and haematothorax, pleural rind, pneumonia, broncho-pleural fistula and most of all pleural empyema.
A 21-year-old hemophiliac with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was admitted to our hospital because of bilateral pneumothoraces associated with Pneumocysis carinii pneumonia (PCP). He underwent chest tube drainages and intravenous pentamidine therapy, resulting in clinical improvement. Two months after treatment for PCP, cystic lesions that had existed before treatment disappeared on chest computed tomography. We concluded that Pneumocystis carinii infection might be associated with lung destruction and cyst formation, and that inflammatory exudates in the small bronchioles might act as a ball-valve with subsequent spontaneous pneumothoraces.
We reviewed our experience on video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) from our first 100 cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) performed at our institution from September 1992 to January 1994. Apical bullae were identified in 87% of cases. Mechanical pleurodesis with Marlex mesh was performed on all patients. Excision with endoscopic staple cutter was performed in 69 cases; an endoloop was used in five cases; ablation with an argon beam coagulator (ABC) was done in six cases; excision with endoscopic suturing occurred in seven cases; and mechanical pleurodesis alone was used in 13 cases. The overall median postoperative chest tube duration was 2 days (range 1-25 days) and hospital stay 4 days (range 1-30 days). Complications occurred in 8 cases (8%): 1 wound infection; 1 chest wall bleeding; and 6 persistent air leaks which lasted for more than 10 days (one of which eventually required an axillary thoracotomy for control). Procedure failure with recurrence occurred in three cases (3%) at a mean follow-up of 17 months (range 8-24 months). The ABC group alone was responsible for one recurrence and two persistent leaks. We conclude that with the VATS approach in the treatment of PSP, staple resection of apical bullae is quick and most reliable but costly. Endoloop and hand suturing are applicable to selected patients with small and localized bullae and should be further studied, while our limited experience does not favor ABC as the primary treatment modality.
The association of a right pneumothorax and a pneumopericardium due to non-penetrating trauma is exceedingly unusual. A patient with both complications presented 7 hours after a motorcycle accident. These were detected incidentally on a scout film for CT for lumbar fractures and both resolved entirely and simultaneously after chest tube insertion in the right pleural space.
A case of subclavian artery obstruction by tube thoracostomy for penetrating trauma is presented. The obstruction was not physiologically significant; however, it did impede the assessment of the subclavian artery for potential injury using emergency center arteriography. The difficulty was easily corrected with repositioning of the chest tube. This previously undescribed complication of tube thoracostomy is presented with its clinical implications.
PURPOSE: To identify a population of patients who may not need chest radiography after diagnostic thoracentesis by assessing and comparing the pneumothorax rates in patients with mechanical ventilation (intubation) versus spontaneously breathing patients (no intubation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all radiographs, clinical records, and ultrasound (US) scans obtained in 434 patients who underwent US-guided thoracentesis was performed. Three hundred forty-two patients were not intubated and 92 were intubated. Nine patients were excluded because of preexisting pneumothorax. The size of the effusion, the needle size used, and whether a pneumothorax occurred after the procedure were determined. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that only 10 pneumothoraces occurred (six in intubated and four in nonintubated patients). None of the nonintubated patients with pneumothorax and two of the six intubated patients with pneumothorax needed chest tubes. The difference in the pneumothorax rate between intubated and nonintubated patients was statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Spontaneously breathing patients who undergo diagnostic thoracentesis do not need postprocedure chest radiography.
We have analyzed the radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) appearance of thoracostomy (chest) tubes inadvertently placed into the lungs. We have studied the clinical sequela of such malpositioning and discussed treatment options. Cases were collected from chest CT log book reports between January 1998 and January 31, 2005 which indicated or suggested intrapulmonary thoracostomy tube placement. CT scans were reviewed by the authors. The chest radiographs and medical records--including thoracic surgical reports--of those patients whose scans demonstrated intrapulmonary tube placement or indeterminate tube location were reviewed. Fifty patients, in whom 51 thoracostomy tubes were placed into the lungs, are included in this series. None of these tubes were described as intrapulmonary on reports of chest radiographs done before CT scanning. In 13 patients (26%), thoracostomy tube placements produced immediate improvement in pleural abnormalities. Dramatic increase or development of chest wall emphysema or pneumothorax was noted in 4 (8%) patients after tube placement. Twenty-five patients (50%) demonstrated either abrupt or gradual increase in pulmonary or pleural opacity on postplacement chest radiographs. Twenty-one (42%) had no apparent clinical complications. Thirteen (26%) had either prolonged air leaks or recurrent pneumothorax. Ten (20%) developed pneumonia. Retained hemothorax or empyema occurred in 8 (16%). Twelve patients (24%) required subsequent thoracic surgery. Intrapulmonary placement of thoracostomy tubes is probably more common than previously reported. This possibility should be considered when radiographs and CT scans are evaluated.
Parapneumonic effusions are frequent complications of bacterial pneumonia. Depending on the severity of the underlying pneumonia, the promptness of antibiotic therapy, and the virulence of the infecting organism, 5% to 50% of patients will require pleural fluid drainage to prevent progression to an empyema. The decision to drain the pleural space depends on multiple clinical, laboratory, and radiographic factors. Delayed drainage results in pleural loculations, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased mortality. Image-guided percutaneous chest catheters provided an effective method for draining both free-flowing and loculated effusions. Fibrinolytic agents are gaining wider acceptance for promoting drainage of loculated, viscous pleural fluid although randomized studies do not exist. Patients failing a chest tube drainage method should undergo early evaluation for an open surgical procedure.