Chest Drains in Daily Clinical Practice

Thomas Kiefer

This book covers all aspects of successfully treating patients using chest drains, beginning with anatomy and ending with physiotherapy and pain management. The aim of the book is to provide medical professionals with a step-by-step guide to using a chest drain, with specific chapters on indications, kinds of chest drains, catheters, drainage systems, how to insert a chest tube, complications during placement and handling of a chest drain, removing a chest drain, management of the  pleural space and post-procedural care. Unlike general thoracic surgery textbooks, this book gives a complete overview of chest drains in clinical practice to ensure the best possible care of patients.  

Anatomy of the Chest wall and the Pleura.- (Patho-) Physiology of the Pleural Space.- Indications for Chest Drain Therapy.- Different Kinds of Chest Drain.- Catheters.- Different Drainage Systems and -philosophies.- Inserting a chest tube.- Complications during Placement of a Chest Drain and during Handling.- Care of Patients having a Chest Drain.- Management of the  Pleural Space.- Pain Management.- Physiotherapy in Patients having a Chest Drain.- Removing a Chest Drain.