Indications and complications of tube thoracostomy performed by general surgeons

The cross-sectional study conducted at the Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad was to determine the frequencies of various indications and complications of tube thoracostomy performed by general surgeons between February 2003 and January 2006. The data was analyzed and compared with other local and international studies. One hundred and five tube thoracostomies were performed over the above mentioned last three years. The most common indication for tube thoracostomy was tuberculous effusion (38/105, 36.1%). Most of the complications were categorized as positional complications and these occurred in about 9.5% (10/105) of the patients. Insertional complications occurred in 5.7% (6/105) of the patients whereas infective complication was noticed in only one patient. The most common complication was nonfunctioning of tube and this occurred in about 7.6% (8/105) of the patients. Tube thoracostomy is a relatively simple but invasive procedure and carries less risk of complications if performed carefully and cautiously.