The Catheter Fell Out

Accidental catheter removal or drain dislodgment, including tube thoracostomy, is a common, high-risk complication in hospitalized and ambulatory patients that often necessitates an additional procedure, increased length of stay, and increased cost.

The aim of this study was to compare the tensile strength of pigtail catheter fixation using a simple interrupted suture, a U-stitch suture, or 2 simple interrupted skin sutures in a standardized skin model. Catheters were sutured to the skin, penetrating the collagen layer, with 1 of the 3 suture techniques and varying suture combinations.

For each trial, breakage occurred at the suture or knot. The mean breakpoint varied significantly between 2 simple interrupted sutures and both the 1 simple interrupted suture and the U-stitch technique (analysis of variance post hoc test P < .001), with the 2 simple interrupted suture technique withholding nearly 40% more force. Using the strongest suture, 0 silk, on a deceased adult sheep to secure a pigtail thoracostomy catheter yielded identical data compared with the standardized skin model.

In conclusion, 2 simple interrupted skin sutures to secure a pigtail catheter has very low risk with a strongly positive benefit.