Description Chest tubes are inserted to drain blood, fluid, or air and allow full expansion of the lungs. The patient may also be sedated. The chest tube is inserted between the ribs into the chest and is connected to a bottle or canister that contains sterile water.
Suction is attached to the system to encourage drainage.
When the chest tube is no longer needed, it can be easily removed, usually without the need for medications to sedate or numb the patient. Please read it.