title: The paediatric chest tube.
abstract: Chest tubes are placed to empty the pleural space of air or fluid which prohibits full lung expansion. The function of these tubes is dependent on adequate placement, effective drainage and frequent re-evaluation of the patient and the chest drainage system. Knowledge of the principles of chest tube drainage is important to evaluate adequately the function of a tube thoracostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030-2399, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Luks
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guay
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Collin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dilorenzo
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000628:therapy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013903:Thoracic Surgery