Intercostal Chest Drain Insertion

Abstract

The healthy parietal pleura secretes 100–150 mL of pleural fluid per day. The pleural space usually contains 30–50 mL of fluid and is free of air. This ensures the smooth movement of the parietal and visceral pleura during the respiratory cycle and prevents the lungs from collapsing by maintaining a negative pleural pressure. Generally excessive fluid or air need to be removed from the pleural space as they can severely impair respiratory mechanics. Apical intercostal chest drains (ICD) are ideal to drain air while basal ICDs are more effective in draining fluid from the pleural cavity.