Question 1

87 yr old male, thoracentesis was done taking 300 ml fluid out. post thoracentesis chest tube drainage was also done. hospital ok to discharge but chest x-ray still showing nominal left pleural effusion and small epical pneumothorax. is it ok?

Accepted Answer

: As long as the small left pleural effusion is not caused by an active process like pneumonia, congestive heart failure or malignancy of the lung or pleural lining, it should resolve in time. A small apical pneumothorax should also expand in time. If he's ambulating safely 
 without significant shortness of breath &amp; vital signs are stable, home care seems reasonable at this time. Otherwise rehab

Question 2

87 year old male , thoracentesis done , chest tube removed. now hospital is ok to discharge .latest chest x-ray-1. suspect small left pneumothorax.2. left lower lobe opacity increased compared to prior exam.3. small left pleural effusion. its ok?

Accepted Answer

: Timing for discharge remains extremely delicate as a variety of things will have to be in place. He will need tight follow up specifically for worsening changes in the lungs, left lower opacity. Performance status will be critical as well as rehab may be needed.

Question 3

87 yr old male after thoracentesis got blood in chest. hospital put chest tube. so far blood is coming out but doc saying not enough blood to do surgery. how long it takes for this blood to stop provided the injury from thoracentesis heals?

Accepted Answer

: Very difficult to tell and best judge of this it your team there who knows the details.  Not uncommon to have blood as well. You may want to pay $20 and get a weeks access to uptodate.com and read all about thoracentesis. Much better than Dr.Google. Discuss what you learn with his team. Sounds like he is having lots of problems.

Question 4

my husbands lung collapsed. he was in the netherlands and the doctors treated him with what i suppose is a chest tube. he is fine but will have another check up. how long until he can fly back to cape town?

Accepted Answer

Best: To answer will be the doc who will see him again as his clinical condition among others will be weighed in. The cause for his lung collapse, if found,  and preexisting lung disease, if any, will be also considered.

Question 5

does it hurt when you remove a chest tube?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There is usually mild discomfort in removing a chest tube. It is much less than pain felt during inserting the tube, which can be very painful.

Question 6

when should a chest tube be removed during the ventillatory cycle?

Accepted Answer

That's Debatable: Some surgeons remove it at end expiration, reasoning no air can rush in then. Others remove it at maximum inspiration, since there will be no opportunity for air to enter. It likely doesn't matter which of these is chosen, the important concept being not to remove it during inspiration when air could be pulled in through the incision.

Question 7

i have colapsed lung with chest tube. if i chose to remove tube and lung isnt inflated what will thr consquences be?

Accepted Answer

Pneumothorax: A chest tube is placed when the lung has collapsed.  It allows the lung to re-expand.  The chest tube is removed when there is no evidence of a "leak" which would imply that the lung may collapse again if the tube is removed.   You should let your medical team decide when the time is right to remove the tube.  If it removed too soon it may create a life threatening emergency.

Question 8

what color is the drainage from a chest tube with a a pleural effusion?

Accepted Answer

Chest drainage: It depends on the character of the effusion. Frequently malignant effusions will be bloody. Infectious effusions may be cloudy/pussy. Effusions from CHF are usually sort of beer colored.

Question 9

vats done on right middle lobe jan. 15/15.  moderate pneumothorax.  chest tube still in place jan. 29.  should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Depends on condition: Removal is usually by the 1 who put it in. The chest tube is meant to re-inflate the lung, &amp; shd e removed when conditions r "right" in the eyes of the thoracic surgeon. As long as the lung doesn't properly re-expand, there is a leak, or the lung has a good chance of collapse, the surgeon leaves the chest tube in. The chest tube is most painful right b4 it comes out, as the lung lining is sensitiv

Question 10

is having vats resection if a spine tumour considered major surgery? it's been three weeks i'm still in agony where the chest tube my nerves hurt too

Accepted Answer

VATS tumor resection: Three weeks is still very short in the recovery process and hopefully you are noting a slow but steady improvement.  Without knowing the details of your surgery, levels treated, method of reconstruction, preoperative symptoms, etc., it is hard to know whether there are any new concerns.  Follow up x-rays may demonstrate a symptomatic pleural effusion for example.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Ultrasound guided thoracentesis with chest tube placement

A member asked:

87 yr old male, thoracentesis was done taking 300 ml fluid out. post thoracentesis chest tube drainage was also done. hospital ok to discharge but chest x-ray still showing nominal left pleural effusion and small epical pneumothorax. is it ok?

A member asked:

87 year old male , thoracentesis done , chest tube removed. now hospital is ok to discharge .latest chest x-ray-1. suspect small left pneumothorax.2. left lower lobe opacity increased compared to prior exam.3. small left pleural effusion. its ok?

A member asked:

87 yr old male after thoracentesis got blood in chest. hospital put chest tube. so far blood is coming out but doc saying not enough blood to do surgery. how long it takes for this blood to stop provided the injury from thoracentesis heals?

A member asked:

My husbands lung collapsed. he was in the netherlands and the doctors treated him with what i suppose is a chest tube. he is fine but will have another check up. how long until he can fly back to cape town?

A member asked:

Does it hurt when you remove a chest tube?

A member asked:

When should a chest tube be removed during the ventillatory cycle?

A member asked:

I have colapsed lung with chest tube. if i chose to remove tube and lung isnt inflated what will thr consquences be?

A member asked:

What color is the drainage from a chest tube with a a pleural effusion?

A member asked:

Vats done on right middle lobe jan. 15/15. moderate pneumothorax. chest tube still in place jan. 29. should i be concerned?

A member asked:

Is having vats resection if a spine tumour considered major surgery? it's been three weeks i'm still in agony where the chest tube my nerves hurt too

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?