[Chest drainage methods. The work is intended for postgraduate medical education]

The mastering of the chest drainage technique should be among the basic skills of any surgeon, pneumologist or critical care specialist. What is essential is the knowledge of the anatomy of the chest, the basic radiologic interpretation of pathological findings in the pleural cavity, and some manual skill. The possibility of complications occurring and the method of their treatment are also important.

The aim of the article is to give an outline of the time aspect of the indication, necessary material equipment, the technique of chest drainage itself, differences in the drainage of pneumothorax, free and circumscribed effusion, caring for the chest drain following drainage and also of possible errors and mistakes that may occur. It also deals with methods of solving the complications.

Chest drainage performed by a physician experienced in the chest drainage technique and keeping its basic principles may be considered to be a safe and effective method.