title: Tube Thoracostomy: A Structured Review of Case Reports and a Standardized Format for Reporting Complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although seemingly straightforward, tube thoracostomy (TT) has been associated with complication rates as high as 30 %. A lack of a standardized nomenclature for reporting TT complications makes comparison and evaluation of reports impossible. We aim to develop a classification method in order to standardize the reporting of complications of TT and identify all reported complications of TT and time course in which they occurred to validate the reporting method.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews from each databases inception through November 5, 2013 was conducted. Original articles written in the English language reporting TT complications were searched. This review adhered to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) standards. Duplicate reviewers abstracted case reports for inclusion. Cases were then sorted into one of the five complication categories by two reviewers, and in case of disagreements, settled by a third reviewer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 751 papers reporting TT complications, 124 case reports were included for analysis. From these reports, five main categories of TT complications were identified: insertional (n = 65); positional (n = 36); removal (n = 11); infective and immunologic (n = 7); and instructional, educational, or equipment related (n = 5). Placement of TT has occurred in nearly every soft tissue and vascular structure in the thoracic cavity and intra-abdominal organs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our classification method provides further clarity and systematic standardization for reporting TT complications.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Johnathon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aho
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Raaj K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ruparel
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rowse
authors.affiliation: General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Rushin D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brahmbhatt
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and General Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. rivera.mariela@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Mariela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivera
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation