A chest (tube) drain or intercostal drain is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the chest wall and into the pleural space or mediastinum. It is used to remove air, fluid, pleural effusion, blood, chyle, or pus (empyema) from the intrathoracic space. Chest drains also known as under water sealed drains (UWSD) are inserted to allow draining of the pleural spaces of air, blood or fluid, allowing expansion of the lungs and restoration of negative pressure in the thoracic cavity. The underwater seal also prevents backflow of air or fluid into the pleural cavity. Appropriate chest drain management is required to maintain respiratory function and haemodynamic stability. Chest drains may be placed routinely in theatre; or in the emergency department and ward areas in emergency situations.

Medical uses

Left-sided pneumothorax (right side of image) on CT scan of the chest with chest tube in place. Pneumothorax: accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space Pleural effusion: accumulation of fluid in the pleural space Chylothorax: a collection of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space Empyema: a pyogenic infection of the pleural space Hemothorax: accumulation of blood in the pleural space Hydrothorax: accumulation of serous fluid in the pleural space