Posted on

How to Prepare for Placement of A Chest Tube?

Chest tube placement is a minimally-invasive procedure performed to treat and prevent pleural effusions. Pleural effusion is a condition that causes excess fluid buildup in the lungs, specifically the pleura. The pleura is a thin membrane covering the surface of the lungs and chest wall.

Some fluid is always found here, but the amount should be no more than a few teaspoons. Pleural effusion does not always cause problems, but severe cases can result in inflammation and difficulty breathing. If you are also facing this type of health issue then you can go for placement of surgical thoracic chest tube via https://www.centese.com/thoracic-surgery/.

Image Source: Google

A chest tube placement procedure will typically take between 15 to 30 minutes to complete. This procedure is typically performed bedside and occasionally in the operating room.

Prior to the procedure to insert a chest tube, your doctor and treatment team will explain to you what to expect before, during and after the procedure and potential risks of the procedure. Other recommendations include:

It is always recommended to talk to your doctor about:

  • All medications, herbal products and dietary supplements you are currently taking and ask for their recommendations about each.
  • Radiation exposure, especially for those who are pregnant
  • Any allergies to medicines, latex, tape, iodine, and anesthetic agents
  • Any history of bleeding disorders
  • Any body piercings on your chest or abdomen