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Chest tube insertion - series - Indication

Indication:

If air or fluid, such as blood, 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)
  • Pus in the chest (empyema)
Indication

  • Reviewed last on: 5/12/2009
  • James Lee, MD, Department of Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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