[Technic of pleural drainage (emergency pleural drainage)]

Pleural effusion is still often poorly drained: - incorrect introduction of the drain into the thorax, - ill-chosen position of the drain. Simple drainage, a minima, is considered here, that which requires no broad surgical incision and which, in cases of effusion with compression of the lung, is often a life saving procedure which any doctor should be able to carry out, especially if he deals with emergencies. The surest technique consists of placing a No. 30 drain, using a pleurotomy trocart, type Monod or Coquelet, under local anaesthesia. Introduction of the drain using a forceps after an incision with the scalpel blade is only justified if one has no trocart available. So-called disposable drains, mounted on a pointed bevelled needle prepared in advance, are practical but dangerous. Capillary drainages are methods of second choice. They are often excluded within short delays. The efficacy of the drainage depends on its position.