When to Remove Chest Tube Draining Parapneumonic Effusion Secondary to Community Acquired Pneumonia

 

Patient selection: chest tube for draining a parapneumonic effusion

 

The chest tube can be removed when:

(1) there is no intrathoracic air leak

(2) the pleural fluid drainage is low, measured as

(2a) less than 1 mL per kg per 24 hours

(2b) less than 60 mL in a 24 hour period

 

where:

• Pleural fluid drainage can be extrapolated from measurements taken over 12 hours.

• Volume based on weight may mislead in a morbidly obese patient.

 

A chest tube can be removed within 2-3 days after placement.