Chest tubes are often needed to remove air from around the lung. Failure to remove such air can be life- threatening if there is a lot of air or a continued leak. Removing the air allows the lung to re-expand and seal the leak. insert a chest tube to remove the fluid.
The chest tube is inserted through a 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) cut in your skin between your ribs. Then it is guided to the correct spot. The tube is connected to a special canister. Suction is often used to help it drain.
Since chest tube insertion is most commonly performed as an emergency procedure or after surgery, there's usually no way for you to prepare for it. If you're conscious and your doctor thinks it's necessary to insert a chest tube, they'll ask for your consent.
Chest tube insertion is usually very painful. Your doctor will help manage your pain by injecting an anesthetic through an IV or directly into the chest tube site. You'll be given either general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep, or local anesthesia, which numbs the area.
Chest tubes are inserted to drain blood, fluid, or air and allow full expansion of the lungs. The tube is placed in the pleural space. The area where the tube will be inserted is numbed (local anesthesia). The patient may also be sedated.
The chest drain insertion usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Afterwards, you will have a chest X-ray to confirm the location of your chest drain. Your drain will be connected to a bottle. As the fluid or air around your lung drains off, you should be able to breathe more easily.
