Evaluation of complications of two different chest tubes with either a sharp or blunt tip for thoracostomy

Abstract

Background: Although the emergency insertion of a tube into the chest has the potential to save lives, up to 30% of patients experience organ damage and misplacement. Trocar or non-trocar procedures may, in theory, be used to place a chest tube. There are now two distinct chest tubes on the market, both with blunt or sharp tips, for use in the trocar method. Objective: The purpose of this research was to find out anatomic variations of chest wall and complications of two different chest tubes with either a sharp or blunt tip for thoracotomy Methodology: In 110 thoracic trauma patients, 20 emergency doctors performed 5 tubes of thoracostomies employing kits with blunt and sharp tips. Time-to-tube insertion was the main result. Different investigation tools like computed tomography, chest X-ray and ultrasound were used to assess complications and success rate, which functioned as additional outcome measures.   Results: The mean time difference before tube insertion did not reach statistical significance. From the first to the fifth try, both groups' insertion times decreased and indicated a dependence on the BMI of the patients and the particular doctor. The two groups' success rates differed (94% for blunt vs. 90% for sharp-tipped kits), and using sharp-tipped chest tubes was much more likely to result in injuries and misplacements (p = 0.04).   Conclusion: Data shows a complication rate after anatomic variation of chest and chest drain placement using trocars. There was no discernible variation in the mean duration. Sharp tips did, however, result in more frequent mishaps and organ damage. Therefore, it is advised to utilize blunt-tipped kits when using a trocar method.