Chapter 12: Respiratory care, CPR and blood transfusion
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Definition
A chest drain is a length of flexible tubing commonly made from PVC or silicone. Chest drains come in a variety of sizes ranging from 6 to 40 French (Fr) and often incorporate a radio‐opaque strip that enables X‐ray detection. The proximal end is inserted into the pleura and has a number of holes, which facilitate drainage. The distal end is connected to the drainage system (Figure 12.20).
Figure 12.20 A chest drain and underwater seal bottle are used to drain a left pleural effusion.
