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Semin intervent Radiol 2022; 39(03): 348-354
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1753501
Trainee Corner

Thoracentesis, Chest Tubes, and Tunneled Chest Drains

Keshav Anand
1   Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
,
Claire S. Kaufman
2   Dotter Interventional Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
,
Keith B. Quencer
2   Dotter Interventional Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon
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Chest drainage has been practiced for numerous centuries. The earliest open drainage of complex pleural effusions dates back to the 5th century BC from Hippocrates.[1] Over the course of centuries, the ability to perform the procedure and drain fluid has become more sophisticated. Drainage has evolved to the modern-day practice of using chest tubes from the metal cannulas and trocars used in the 15th century by Celsius. The practice of water seal drainage was first described in the 19th century by Playfair and is the basis for drainage of most effusions today.[1]

Chest drainage is performed by multiple specialties including emergency medicine physicians, internal medicine, pulmonologists, critical care physicians, surgeons, and interventional radiologists.

The treatment of pleural effusions by interventional radiology ranges from simple drainage with thoracentesis to the placement of one or multiple indwelling chest tubes, or even a tunneled chest tube depending on the underlying etiology of the pleural effusion.



Publication History

Article published online:
31 August 2022

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