Is a larger bore percutaneous chest tube sufficient to adequately drain a hemothorax, or is a surgical chest tube required?
Community PollStarted
What type of chest tube should be placed for a hemothorax?
56 physicians have voted
Join Mednetto vote and see how they answered.
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Pulmonology · University of Maryland Medical School
Answered on
A pigtail is frequently sufficient for hemothorax. There are studies suggesting there was no obvious advantage of larger chest tubes over smaller size chest tubes in hemothorax. There are also studies to support the use of tPA in hemothorax to facilitate the drainage.
Join for free or sign in to see the full answer