5.2: Chest drain and talc
Chest drain and talc
This is a short (20-30mins) procedure to insert a small tube (the ‘drain’) into the fluid that then connects to a collecting bottle. The drain stays in place for a few days before being removed which means spending those days in hospital. When most of the fluid has been drained away liquid glue (a substance called ‘talc’ mixed with water) can be injected through the drain to try and stick the lung to the rib cage and prevent the fluid from coming back again. This is called ‘pleurodesis’. Stitches are usually not required after the drain is removed.
Advantages
- Short and straight forward procedure to do
- Very good at relieving breathlessness caused by the fluid
- Can stop the fluid from coming back in three quarters of cases
Disadvantages
- Need to stay in hospital for an average of 3-5 days
- The glue might not work and fluid could come back
- Glue cannot work if the lung is trapped
- Sometimes, we only find out the lung is trapped after the drain has been inserted and the fluid has been drained.
|
Will this be painful?
|
Putting a chest drain in is usually not very painful Injecting the glue through the drain can cause pain in some patients |
|
Will I spend time in hospital?
|
Requires a stay in hospital – usually 3-5 days |
|
Will I need to come back to hospital?
|
If the glue works then future hospital visits will be minimal If the glue fails further hospital visits are very likely |
|
Will I need further procedures?
|
If the glue is successful then further procedures will not be needed If the glue fails further procedures are very likely |
|
What if my lung is trapped
|
The glue will not work if the lung is trapped This procedure should not be used in a trapped lung Sometimes, we only find out the lung is trapped after the drain has been inserted and the fluid has been drained. |
|
Where can this be done?
|
Straight forward procedure that can be done at all local hospitals |
|
Is there any aftercare?
|
Once discharged from hospital there is no specific aftercare is needed |