Chest Drains

Original Editor - Adam Vallely Farrell

Top Contributors - Adam Vallely Farrell, Sonal Joshi, Kim Jackson, Evan Thomas, George Prudden and Karen Wilson

Underwater seal Chest Drainage System

What is a Chest Drain?

Chest drains, also referred to as chest tubes, under water sealed drainage (UWSD), thoracic catheter, tube thoracostomy, or intercostal drain. They provide a method of removing air & fluid substances from the pleural space. The idea is to create a one-way mechanism that will let air/fluid out of the pleural space and prevent outside air/fluid from entering into the pleural space. This is accomplished by the use of an underwater seal.

Mechanism of action for inhalation and exhalation

Basics of Breathing

• Breathing is stimulated by the build up of CO2 levels in the bloodstream.
• When the diaphragm descends there is an increase in intrathoracic space and a decrease in intrathoracic pressure. Intrapulmonary pressure also decreases which draws air into the lungs as the pressure outside of the lungs is greater than the pressure inside. The lungs are elastic and want to recoil with the pleura, this elasticity creates the negative pressure which causes the lungs to inflate.
• Lungs are surrounded by pleura which have a layer of fluid between them. The visceral pleura is attached to the lungs while the parietal pleura is attached to the ribs. Intrapleural pressure is always negative however during inspiration it is more negative (-8cm H2O) whilst during expiration when the diaphragm relaxes it’s less negative (-4cm H2O).
• If this intrapleural pressure is lost e.g. during a stabbing, the loss of negative pressure will cause the lung to collapse and a chest drain will be needed to restore the correct pressures.
• A weak diaphragm decreases the available volume making it harder to draw air in and also increases the risk of developing pneumonia.

Principles of underwater seal drainage

• The main aim of the drainage system is to remove fluid/air from pleura & preventing its re-entry into the pleural space.
• This is achieved when distal end of the drain tube is submerged 2cm under the surface level of the water in the drainage (or collection) chamber. It in turn creates a hydrostatic resistance of +2cmH20 in the drainage chamber.
• Normal intrapleural pressure is negative. However, if air or fluid enters the pleural space, intrapleural pressure becomes positive. Air is eliminated from the pleural space into the drainage chamber when intrapleural pressure is greater than +2cmH20. Thus, air moves from a higher to lower pressure along a pressure gradient. The drainage chamber has a vent to allow air to escape the chamber, and not build up within the chamber.
• Also, fluids will drain by gravity into the drainage chamber, and will not spill back into the pleural space if the bottle is always kept below the level of the patient's chest.
• To summarize the mechanism of action of UWSD by observations in tubing & drainage chamber,
  • Airflow is governed by changes in intra-pleural pressure.
  • Negative pressure during inspiration causes water level in tube to rise slightly.
  • Positive pressure during expiration pushes air and fluid out of the pleural space and into the tube and collection bottle.
  • Air bubbles out of tube into the underwater seal.
  • Fluid drains by gravity, mixing with water and raising the fluid level.
    

    Mechanism of action of chest drain

Components & Types of Chest Drain Systems

OCEAN Single Collection Water Seal Drain A= Suction Control Chamber, B=Water Seal Chamber, C=Air Leak Monitor, D=Collection Chamber, E=Tube to suction, F=Tube from patient

Components

1.Unobstructed chest tube

It is inserted into pleural cavity/mediastinal cavity to allow air/fluid to leave the chest. Usually made of clear pliable plastic which may be radio-opaque.

2. Tubing

Consists of a 6 foot long flexible tubing which connects the chest tube to the chest drain system

3. Water Seal Chamber

• Column B – Air released from the pleural space goes into the water seal chamber. Lets the air out of the chest while preventing air from the outside getting back in. Chamber should always have 2cm H2O inside it (>2cm can be too difficult to expire against and <2cm is an ineffective seal meaning air could re-enter the pleural space). Calibrated to reflect intrapleural pressure which should be negative (in a spontaneously breathing adult approx. -8cmH2o on inspiration and -4cmH2O on expiration). Contains a ball which should be oscillating (no oscillation can mean (a) there’s a kink in the system (check patient isn’t lying on any tubes) or (b) the pneumothorax has healed (will show up on CXR)

• Unnamed Chamber - Column C – records the amount of bubbling which is taking place. 1-2 bubbles is normal but >5 can be indicative of a leak somewhere in the system. Leak could be caused by (a) disconnection somewhere in the circuit or (b) a massive tear in the pleura which requires negative pressure in the form of a suction drain. Column A – should have 20cmH20
• One-way mechanism to prevent return of air/fluid (valve).
• Suction control device (optional)//Usually 3-5kPa.

Underwater seal chest drainage. A- Single-bottle system. B- Two bottle system. C- three bottle system

UWDS Systems

Glass Bottle System:

1 bottle

• The simplest form of underwater seal drainage systems. This system can drain both fluid and air. The distal end of the drainage tube must remain under the water surface level. There is always an outlet to the atmosphere to allow air to escape. It is suitable for use with a simple pneumothorax, when the vent is left open to the atmosphere, or following a pneumonectomy when the tubing is clamped and released hourly

2 bottle

• This system is suitable for the drainage of air and fluid. The first chamber is for collection of fluid and the second is for the collection of air. As the two are separate, fluid drainage does not adversely affect the pressure gradient for evacuation of air from the pleural space. A separate chamber for fluid collection enables monitoring of volume and expelled matter.

3 bottle

• Suction is required when air or fluid needs a greater pressure gradient to move from the pleural space to the collection system. Suction may be applied via a third bottle or a suction chamber.
  

Plastic Bottle System:

• Pleur-evac Chest Drainage System
• Thora-Seal Chest Drainage Unit

Indications for Chest Drain insertion

Chest drains are inserted as an invasive procedure to; Remove fluid/air from the pleural space/mediastinum, and/or Re-expand the lungs and restore negative intrapleural pressure and respiratory function.

Conditions that require a chest drain include;

• Pneumothorax
  • "Air in the pleural cavity". This occurs when there is a breach of the lung surface or chest wall which allows air to enter the pleural cavity and consequently cause the lung to collapse.
• Pleural Effusion
  • a collection of fluid abnormally present in the pleural space, usually resulting from excess fluid production and/or decreased lymphatic absorption.
• Haemothorax
  • the presence of blood in the pleural space. The source of blood may be the chest wall, lung parenchyma, heart, or great vessels.
• Chylothroax
  • is a type of pleural effusion. It results from lymph formed in the digestive system called chyle accumulating in the pleural cavity due to either disruption or obstruction of the thoracic duct.
• Empyema
  • is a collection or gathering of pus within a naturally existing anatomical cavity. For example, pleural empyema is empyema of the pleural cavity. It must be differentiated from an abscess, which is a collection of pus in a newly formed cavity.
• Post Cardiac or thoracic surgery

Complications of Chest Drains

• Pain – chest wall/ neck / shoulder
• Failure to enter the pleural space
• Infection at insertion site or intrapleural region
• Penetration / lacerations to lungs
• Penetration of peritoneal space - laceration of the diaphragm
• Hemorrhage
• Blocked drains
• Pleural sepsis
• Subcutaneous emphysema

Insertion of a Chest Drain

Local anesthetic and intravenous analgesia are mandatory, as the placement is a painful procedure. The use of sedation should always be discussed with a senior emergency doctor, as it can potentially worsen the patient's clinical condition.Establish patient on continuous cardiac monitoring and pulse oximetry.

Procedure as per 'The BTS Guidelines for the insertion of a chest drain, 2003'

• Place conscious patient in a sitting position at 45 degrees with arm of same side placed above head
• Palpate the fourth or fifth intercostal space just anterior to the mid-axillary line
• Surgically prepare the area
• Ensure local anesthetic is infiltrated from subcutaneous tissue down to pleura.
• Select the appropriate size I.C.C. and remove stylet.
• Incise the skin parallel to the upper border of the rib below the chosen intercostal space. Incise down to the fascia.
• "Blunt dissect" (using an artery forceps) down to the pleura, enter the pleural space, and then widen the hole by opening the forceps.
• Sweep the pleural space with a gloved finger to widen the hole and push the lung away from the hole (only possible in older children, beware of rib fractures in injured child).
• Hold the tip of the catheter with a curved artery clamp and advance it into the pleural space, directing the catheter posteriorly and superiorly.
• Advance so that all apertures of the tube are in the chest and not visible.
• Attach the tube to UWSD below the patient's chest level.
• Anchor the drain and suture the wound. Tape in place with tegaderm sandwich and anchor the tube to the patient's side. - Connect to the UWSD.
• Watch for "swinging" of water in tube connection.
  

Assessment of a Chest Drain

As part of a physiotherapy objective assessment a specific examination of a chest drain should be performed. Important aspects that should be noted include the following;

• Location:
  • Anterior
  • Basal
  • Right or Left side etc.
• Pain
• Swing/Oscillation -
  • Normal – reflects the changes in pleural pressure on breathing (if not on suction). Will gradually lessen and stop as lung re-expands.
  • If drain is not swinging;
    • Gradual: lung re-expanded
    • Sudden: obstruction or lung collapse
    • Check for suction: Wall suction may lead to no swing
• Drain level- Denotes volume of fluid draining from pleural space.
  • Dependent on pathology
  • Post op – mostly occurs in first few hours
  • Fluid – slow drainage
  • Pneumothorax – minimal
  • If amount in bottle is excessive, its more difficult for air to be expelled
  • If there is a lack of drainage – check for kinks or obstruction
• Bubbling- Reflects the amount of air draining out of the pleural space.
  • Usually occurs during expiration or coughing.
  • May also occur on inspiration if big air leak present.
  • Large volume air leaks may require suction to remove air; if persistent may require pleurodesis.
  • Continuous bubbling – means there is a connection between the lung and intra pleural space.
  • If bubbling stops suddenly check for- kink, blockage, disconnection.
• Suction- Application of a negative pressure (3-5kPa) to restore negative pressure in the pleural space. Typically used if there is a large volume of air or fluid to be removed from the pleural space
• Chest X-Ray
• Auscultation
• Always ensure you know the location of chest drain clamps in case you need them in an emergency!!

Handling of Chest Drain

• Familiarize yourself with the location of the clamps in case of emergency
• Drains should be on the floor on their stand for gravity drainage
• Keep bottles/drains below the level of the patient’s chest – if you need to move the patient from lying to sitting this should be done on the side the chest drain is on
• Clamping should be avoided if at all possible – clamping can cause a tension pneumothorax which leads to compression of the heart and a mediastinal shift which can be fatal.
• Don’t pass the chest drain over the patient – loss of gravity could cause contents to spill back into the pleural space.
• If you knock over the chest drain: put it back upright, check the levels and inform the nurse on duty so she can perform the necessary tests to make sure it’s still working properly.
• Need to carefully plan any movements to avoid disconnection from the drain during activity
• If there is a suction port attached to the chest drain and you need to mobilize the patient you have to get surgical permission to temporarily disconnect the suction
• Clamping
  • It is never appropriate to clamp chest drains for mobilization / transport of patients.
  • NEVER clamp in tension pneumothorax or if still bubbling.
  • When would you clamp a drain?
    • Post pneumonectomy
    • Changing bottle
    • Break in circuit
      

Accidental Disconnection of Tube

• Part of the system becomes disconnected or drain/bottle breaks:
  • Clamp the tubing close to the patients chest
  • Reconnect with sterile tubing or new drain
  • Unclamp and restore drainage
  • Report the incident

• Tubing becomes disconnected from the patient
  • Ask patient to exhale and press gauze against the wound at end exhalation
  • Ask patient to breathe normally
  • Call for medical help but stay with patient and maintain pressure on the wound
  • Observe the breathing rate and chest symmetry
  • Reassure the patient and give them oxygen if they become distressed

Criteria for removal of chest drains

• Less than 100ml of drainage in 24hours
• Minimal swing
• Chest X-ray establishing full lung expansion
• Breath sounds present over the whole thorax on auscultation
• No air leak

Physiotherapy Treatment with Chest drains

• Main goal is
  • to assist in removal of fluid/air from pleural space
  • prevent accumulation of secretions & secondary atelectasis
  • maintain joint mobility
  • promote re-expansion of the underlying lung tissue
  • improve ventilation increasing oxygen uptake
  • improve exercise tolerance capacity
• Techniques:

1. Early bedside Mobilization
2. Breathing exercises: Breathing retraining, Pursed lip breathing, Diaphragmatic breathing, Deep breathing exercises, Segmental breathing Exercises and Forced Expiratory Technique

• Positive pressure NIV techniques are CONTRAINDICATED!

1. Early Bedside Mobilization

• Patients can be mobilized with a chest drain.
• Focus on active range of motion upper & lower extremity exercises.
• If they are on suction, check if it is a portable suction machine, if so, you will require a trolley to mobilize patient safely.
• If suction is attached to the wall & cannot be disconnected//consider bedside exercises.
• Always bring clamp in case of an accidental break in circuit.
• Always call a nurse if you think there is a problem.
• Before and after treatment it is important to check the drain for any changes – if changes occur you need to document them and report them to the relevant member of the MDT eg. excessive drainage or no pressure swing during inspiration and expiration in the water seal level.
• Look at patients vitals, response to treatment, positioning, etc.
  

2.Breathing Exercises

Details can be found on Physiopedia Page for Breathing Exercises.

Key Points for treating patients with Chest Drains

• The water seal must remain intact at all times- Therefore, the chest drain must always be in the upright position. Air can re-enter the pleural cavity if the tip of the tube is above the water surface level
• The chest drain must always be kept below the level of the patient's chest.
• If the tubing becomes disconnected, it should be clamped by hand as close to the patient as possible.
• Look for- swing, bubbling and drain fluid level pre & post physiotherapy session.
• Avoid clamping the drain for a long time.
• Care should be taken when a patient is getting out of bed or moving around the bed.
• If positive pressure is being used in the presence of an air leak (CPAP, BiPAP, IPPB, Manual hyperinflation), the air leak needs to be constantly monitored as it may be exacerbated by these techniques
• The chest drain can cause quite severe pain to the patient and may limit their ability to cooperate in treatment
• They should be encouraged to keep the shoulder of the affected side moving, and discouraged from adopting protective patterns
• Patients can be disconnected from suction for mobilization, but it is essential to communicate with the medical and nursing team prior to doing so.
• If the patient is unable to be disconnected from suction, walking within the confines of the tubing or marching on the spot can be done.

Technological Advances in Chest drains

Use of digital thoracic drainage is the latest in chest drains. Technology is being used to measure size of an air leak in a chest tube. It has an advantage of early mobilization in patients with suction along with underwater seal drainage. These devices also provide more accurate charting of air leak & digital flow recording with in built alarm system. Studies have found them to reduced hospital stay & being more cost-efficient for patients. Thus the future holds scope for more clinically efficient & patient friendly UWSD systems.