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Chest tube insertion


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Normal anatomy

Normal anatomy
The pleural space is the space between the inner and outer lining of the lung. It is normally very thin, and lined only with a very small amount of fluid.
Review Date: 12/16/2004
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team

Indication

Indication

If fluid, such as blood, or air, gets into the pleural space, the lung can collapse, preventing adequate air exchange. Chest tubes are used to treat conditions that can cause the lung to collapse, such as:

  • air leaks from the lung into the chest (pneumothorax)
  • bleeding into the chest (hemothorax)
  • after surgery or trauma in the chest (pneumothorax or hemothorax)
  • lung abscesses or pus in the chest (empyema).
Review Date: 12/16/2004
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team
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