title: Current concepts in thoracic drainage systems.
abstract: Thoracic drainage systems are currently marketed in many varieties, resulting in significant cost and complicating patient management. Realistic needs have been identified from a survey of thoracic surgeons. These are: (1) clear plastic chest catheters with multiple drainage holes in sizes 28, 32, and 36F for adults and 16, 20, and 24F for infants and children; (2) serrated plastic connectors that can be sized at operation; (3) connecting tubes of clear plastic 6 feet long with a diameter of 1/2 inch; (4) a single graduated volume-collecting bottle of 1- to 2-liter capacity that can be emptied and marked, with a separate waterseal component and an associated manometer; and (5) a highflow vacuum source. A drainage system with these characteristics should be safe, effective, simple, and less costly.
mesh_terms: D000399:Air Pressure; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*