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A case of a retained chest drain.
Steve W F R Waqanivavalagi1, Krish Chaudhuri1
1Green Lane Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|March 19, 2021
Summary
A retained chest drain segment is a rare complication. This case highlights an entrapped suture causing difficulty during removal, emphasizing prompt recognition and intervention for patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Complications
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Underwater seal drains are commonly used after thoracic surgery.
- Complications, though infrequent, can arise during drain removal.
- Bilateral lung transplantation is a complex procedure with potential postoperative challenges.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male developed a retained intercostal drain segment post-lung transplantation.
- The drain severed during attempted removal due to an inadvertently placed deep suture.
- The patient required reoperation for retrieval of the retained drain segment.
Findings:
- An entrapped suture is a potential cause of resistance during intercostal drain removal.
- Radiographic signs like drain kinking can indicate retained segments.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical removal are crucial for managing this complication.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of meticulous surgical technique to prevent drain entanglement.
- Awareness of this complication can aid in early recognition and management.
- Enhanced vigilance during drain removal, especially after complex thoracic procedures, is recommended.
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