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Indications for a chest drain

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Indications:

  • tension pneumothorax
  • traumatic pneumothorax or haemothorax
  • any pneumothorax causing respiratory distress, especially in the presence of pre-existing lung disease such as asthma or emphysema
  • any pneumothorax prior to anaesthesia or positive pressure ventilation
  • closed pneumothorax occupying more than 25% of the hemithorax

A chest drain is not indicated for:

  • surgical emphysema in the chest wall in the absence of a pneumothorax
  • prophylaxis

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