Table of Contents
- Overview
- Risks
- Recovery
- Prevention
- Images
Chest drainage tube insertion; Insertion of tube into chest; Tube thoracostomy
Expectations after surgery
Recovery from the chest tube insertion and removal is usually complete, with only a small scar.
Convalescence
The patient will stay in the hospital until the chest tube is removed. While the chest tube is in place, the nursing staff will carefully check for possible air leaks, breathing difficulties, and need for additional oxygen. Frequent deep breathing and coughing is necessary to help re-expand the lung, assist with drainage, and prevent normal fluids from collecting in the lungs.
Images
Previous Section
Review Date: 06/10/2005
Reviewed By: Joseph P. Hart, MD, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of
Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. Review
provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
