title: Thoracostomy tubes: A comprehensive review of complications and related topics.
abstract: Tube thoracostomy (TT) placement belongs among the most commonly performed procedures. Despite many benefits of TT drainage, potential for significant morbidity and mortality exists. Abdominal or thoracic injury, fistula formation and vascular trauma are among the most serious, but more common complications such as recurrent pneumothorax, insertion site infection and nonfunctioning or malpositioned TT also represent a significant source of morbidity and treatment cost. Awareness of potential complications and familiarity with associated preventive, diagnostic and treatment strategies are fundamental to satisfactory patient outcomes. This review focuses on chest tube complications and related topics, with emphasis on prevention and problem-oriented approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The authors hope that this manuscript will serve as a valuable foundation for those who wish to become adept at the management of chest tubes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kwiatt
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarbox
authors.affiliation: OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Seamon
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swaroop
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Temple St Luke's Medical School, Bethlehem, PA, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cipolla
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Temple St Luke's Medical School, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Temple St Luke's Medical School, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Stacinoel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hallenbeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
authors.forename: H Tracy
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Davido
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Vijay A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Doraiswamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Winter Haven Hospital, University of Florida, Florida, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Sagar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galwankar
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tulman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Latchana
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Papadimos
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA ; OPUS 12 Foundation Global, Inc, USA.
authors.forename: Stanislaw P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stawicki
keywords: Chest tube; complications; diagnosis; prevention; review; thoracostomy tube; treatment