What is Intercostal drain?

It is a chest drain where a flexible plastic tube is infused through one’s chest wall and into the tiny area between the two layers of the pleura (a thin covering which protects the lungs and gives a cushioning effect).

The process dissipates the presence of air, gas, blood or fluid in the pleural cavity which is called as Pneumothorax and also reduces the pressure present in the pleural cavity referred as Intra pleural Pressure. Breathlessness, one side chest pain called as pneumothorax, pus collection in the pleural space called as empyema etc are the indicators for the need of intercostals drain insertion. Proper equipments like Ultrasound, saline, gloves, suture kit, syringe, needle etc are duly required as chest drain management is essential for the functioning of the respiratory system.

Before inserting the plastic tube called as Intercostal Catheter, the patients consent is essential. The procedure includes surgically preparing the area, dissection, inserting the catheter and should be monitor the drain whether its working or not by the doctors or nurse to avoid any leakage. The tube is attached to a drainage system which prevents the fluid or air or other contents in excess from going back to the chest cavity. This is done by a Pulmonary Specialist after giving anesthesia to the patient. There may be excessive pain, bleeding or infection in certain cases which has to be carefully handled by the doctors.

When the fluids are completely drained, they will carry on with the removal of the tube. The patient holds his breath while removing to ensure that excess air doesn’t enter the lungs.

Patients with chronic conditions need tubes for a long period and are thus discharged with mobile drains. Once discharged from the hospital, the patient needs to be taken care of well at home with the following steps taken up with frivolous effort from the care takers at home.

• Patients should stay active at home, must cough and take a deep breathe frequently.
• Any changes in the drainage system with respect to water levels etc should be informed immediately to the Physician.
• The care giver and the patient should do a proper maintenance of the mobile drainage system.

If the above steps are taken care-of by the care takers at home efficiently then the Intercostal drainage tube care at home will be easier and much better for the patients to be comfortable.