title: Clinical evaluation of a new chest tube used in neonates.
abstract: We report preliminary experience with a newly designed chest tube (JCT), for evacuation of neonatal pneumothorax. The catheter has a unique pigtail confirguration at the distal end, intended to simplify placement and minimize chest wall and lung trauma by reduced tube size and depth and insertion. Thirty-eight JCTs were placed in neonates with pneumothoraces. Neonates' birth weights ranged from 400 to 3,595 grams. All 38 tubes immediately relieved clinical signs of pneumothoraces. Thirty-five (92%) tubes immediately fully evacuated the pneumothoraces as evidences on chest radiograph. Twelve pneumothoraces partially reoccurred at a mean of 24 hours following JCT placement. These tubes were either irrigated or replaced. This newly configured chest tube functions effectively in the treatment of neonatal pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hodson
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy*