title: A simple method for creating subcutaneous tunnels.
abstract: A trocar chest tube is an excellent tunneling device. It is readily available in a variety of sizes in all hospitals. It requires no special ordering and is inexpensive. The trocar chest tube glides through subcutaneous tissues easily, resulting in less trauma to the tissue compared with the forceful passage of poorly suited, large, blunt-tipped instruments. Operating room personnel are more likely to be familiar with the location of common trocar chest tubes than infrequently used commercial tunnelers. The option of creating curved tunnels when necessary broadens the applications of this disposable, easy to use instrument.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing 48824.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fanelli
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Ilgenfritz
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*