title: Comparison of maximum force to failure of 4 thoracostomy tube connecting devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the maximum force and displacement to failure of 4 different types of thoracostomy tube connecting devices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental in vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four types of thoracostomy tube connecting devices (n = 10 each).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four different connecting device configurations (10 constructs each) were tested by maximum distraction to failure using a dynamometer: (1) CTTWW-a 3-way connector with a male luer slip attached to a thoracostomy tube by a Christmas tree adapter and secured to the tube with 21 gauge orthopedic wire; (2) CTTWRCW-a 3-way connector with a male luer lock with a rotating collar attached to a tube by a Christmas tree adapter and secured to the tube with 21 gauge orthopedic wire; (3) LVSBC-a Lopez valve attached to a tube with its short-barbed connector; and (4) LVLBC-a Lopez valve attached to a tube with its long-barbed connector.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum distraction force to failure was significantly greater for CTTWRCW (250.9 N; range 143.7-293.6) than CTTWW (132.9 N; range 84.2-224.1), LVLBC (90.8 N; range 74.0-123.4), and LVSBC (54.6 N; range 39.6-164.2). The median displacement to failure of CTTWRCW (150 mm; range 54-190) was significantly longer than that of CTTWW (34.5 mm; range 22-70), LVLBC (32.5 mm; range 24-57), and LVSBC (16 mm; range 11-69).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CTTWRCW group required greater force to create failure and had a longer displacement to failure, making it a more secure choice for connection to thoracostomy tubes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ιoannis
authors.initials: Ι
authors.lastname: Psathas
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Lysimachos G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Papazoglou
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bikiaris
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savvas
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Basdani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015505:Chest Tubes / Q000662:veterinary*; D004867:Equipment Design; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000662:veterinary*