title: Pigtail catheters used in the treatment of pneumothoraces in the neonate.
abstract: Air leak in the neonatal population can be a deadly situation. Neonates have many risk factors that can contribute to air leak. These include, but are not limited to, respiratory distress syndrome; mechanical ventilation; sepsis; pneumonia; aspiration of meconium, blood, or amniotic fluid; and congenital malformations. In the NICU, the staff must be prepared to diagnose and treat pneumothoraces in a timely manner. Pathophysiology of air leaks in the neonate including the anatomy of the chest and diagnosis, indications, and common methods for the treatment of a pneumothorax in an infant is explained in this article. In addition, the latest form of treatment for neonates, known as the modified pigtail catheter, is described. A comprehensive literature review of the evidence behind the use of the pigtail catheter in neonates will be incorporated. Finally, the step-by-step placement of this catheter using the modified Seldinger technique will be illustrated and described in detail.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Newborn Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston; and School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA. locates@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Leigh Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cates
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D015505:Chest Tubes; D004322:Drainage; D004867:Equipment Design; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018579:Patient Selection; D010808:Physical Examination; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D014172:Transillumination