title: Chest drainage systems in use.
abstract: A chest tube is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the chest wall and into the pleural space or mediastinum. It is used to remove air in the case of pneumothorax or fluid such as in the case of pleural effusion, blood, chyle, or pus when empyema occurs from the intrathoracic space. It is also known as a Bülau drain or an intercostal catheter. Insertion of chest tubes is widely performed by radiologists, pulmonary physicians and thoracic surgeons. Large catheters or small catheters are used based on each situation that the medical doctor encounters. In the current review we will focus on the chest drain systems that are in use.
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Charalambos
authors: C
authors: Zisis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Katerina
authors: K
authors: Tsirgogianni
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Lazaridis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Lampaki
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Baka
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Mpoukovinas
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Vasilis
authors: V
authors: Karavasilis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Kioumis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Pitsiou
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Katsikogiannis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Kosmas
authors: K
authors: Tsakiridis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Aggeliki
authors: A
authors: Rapti
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Trakada
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Ilias
authors: I
authors: Karapantzos
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Chrysanthi
authors: C
authors: Karapantzou
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Athanasios
authors: A
authors: Zissimopoulos
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Konstantinos
authors: K
authors: Zarogoulidis
authors: 1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, "Evangelismos" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 2 Pulmonary-Oncology, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 3 Department of Medical Oncology, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 4 Oncology Department, "Interbalkan" European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 5 Oncology Department, "BioMedicine" Private Clinic, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 6 Surgery Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece ; 7 Thoracic Surgery Department, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 8 2nd Pulmonary Clinic of "Sotiria" Hospital, Athens, Greece ; 9 Pulmonary Laboratory, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece ; 10 Ear, Nose and Throat, "Saint Luke" Private Hospital, Panorama, Thessaloniki, Greece ; 11 Nuclear Medicine Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Zarogoulidis
keywords: Bülau; Chest drainage unit; air leak; chest drainage system; digital suction; pneumothorax