Yet another use for chest tubes.
A chest tube can be used to change a tracheostomy tube just as a Seldinger wire is used to change a central line. A good match for size is important. The flange should be cut off of the chest tube and the inspired oxygen should be increased. Positive pressure ventilation can be performed through the chest tube by the addition of an endotracheal tube adaptor at the cut off end.
Chuter
T A
TA
Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, New York.
Downey
R J
RJ
D015505:Chest Tubes; D006801:Humans; D014139:Tracheostomy