What Should Hospitalists Know about Surgical Tubes and ... | 合法醫療器材資訊網

Thechesttubeshouldinitiallybesettocontinuoussuctionat-20mmHgtoevacuatetheair.Oncetheairleakhasstopped,thechesttubeshouldbeplaced ...

A 45-year-old woman was admitted with choledocholithiasis. Two days prior, following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), she had gone to the OR for cholecystectomy. The procedure was completed laparoscopically, though the surgeon reported a difficult dissection. The surgeon left a Blake drain in the gallbladder fossa, which initially contained punch-colored fluid. Today, there is bilious fluid in the drain.

Surgical drains are used to monitor for postoperative leaks or abscesses, to collect normal physiologic fluid, or to minimize dead space. A hospitalist caring for surgical patients may be the first provider to note when something changes in the color or volume of surgical drains. Table 1 lists various types of drains with their indications for use.

Chest tubes. Chest tubes are placed in the pleural s...