Analysis of tube thoracostomy performed by pulmonologists at a teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate all tube thoracostomies (TTs) done by pulmonary/critical care fellows and attending physicians in the Medical University of South Carolina's health-care system documenting patient demographics, indication for placement, size and characteristics of the tube, and associated problems.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
University health-care system, including a university hospital, a Veterans Affairs hospital, and a county hospital.


METHODS
All adult patients requiring consultation by a member of the pulmonary/critical care staff for a tube thoracostomy.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-six tube thoracostomies were performed over a 24-month period in 91 patients. The most common initial indication for a TT was pneumothorax (69/103, 67%). Overall mortality in the patient population was 35% (32/91). Early problems (< 24 hours following placement) occurred in 3% (4/126); late problems (> 24 h after placement) occurred in 8% (10/126). Problems occurred in 36% (4/11) of small-bore tube placements vs 9% (10/115) of standard TT placements (p=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Tube thoracostomy can be safely performed by pulmonologists with relatively few associated problems.
Collop
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Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Kim
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S
Sahn
S A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000009:adverse effects; D003422:Critical Care; D003710:Demography; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006766:Hospitals, County; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000628:therapy; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000628:therapy; D018700:Pleurodesis; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000193:education; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012449:Safety; D015996:Survival Rate; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors