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What happens when chest tubes are removed in children?

R R Morrison1, M S Kiker, V C Baum

  • 1Departments of Pediatrics (Drs. Morrison and Baum), Surgery (Ms. Kiker), and Anesthesiology (Dr. Baum), the University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a Journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies
|June 12, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Serious complications following pediatric chest tube removal are rare. Most issues are minor and immediately apparent, with younger children being more susceptible.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Chest tubes are commonly used in pediatric thoracic surgery.
  • Understanding the risks associated with chest tube removal is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, timing, and severity of complications after chest tube removal in children.
  • To identify factors associated with these complications.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective evaluation of 101 consecutive children undergoing thoracic surgery requiring chest tube placement.
  • Monitoring for complications immediately after chest tube removal.

Main Results:

  • 16 out of 120 chest tubes (13.3%) had positive findings post-removal.
  • Only 6 of these required management changes, with 2 serious complications.
  • Younger age was associated with complications; duration of tube placement was not.
  • All serious complications were immediately evident.

Conclusions:

  • Serious complications from pediatric chest tube removal are infrequent.
  • Complications are typically identified immediately upon removal.
  • Younger children may have a higher risk, warranting close observation.

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