Category: Trauma
Keywords: Pigtail (PubMed Search)
Posted: 10/4/2024 by Robert Flint, MD
(Emailed: 10/6/2024)
(Updated: 10/6/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD
Emergency Medicine Cases offers these excellent tips on pigtail catheters placement. Their video/website is worth a look.
PEARL # 1 – LOCATION/LANDMARK: Minimize skin to pleural distance.
PEARL # 2 – ADEQUATE LOCAL ANESTHESIA: This can obviate the need for sedation.
PEARL #3 – DILATING: Do it in a controlled manner.
PEARL #4 – USING THE OBTURATOR: Needless to say, it is there for a reason.
PEARL #5 – INTERPLEURAL BLOCK: Provide your patient with ongoing analgesia.
PEARL #6 – STOPCOCK AND ONE-WAY VALVE IN THE CORRECT POSITIONS
PEARL #7 – USE A GOOD SUTURE: Don’t let that chest tube come out.