In general, chest drainage tubes are not used for the patient
undergoing
a) Pneumonectomy
Usually, no drains are used for the pneumonectomy patient because
the accumulation of fluid in the empty hemithorax prevents
mediastinal shift.
b) Lobectomy
With lobectomy, two chest tubes are usually inserted for drainage, the
upper for air and the lower for fluid
c) Wedge resection
With wedge resection, the pleural cavity usually is drained because of
the possibility of an air or blood leak
d) Segmentectomy
With segmentectomy, drains are usually used because of the
possibility of an air or blood leak.
undergoing
a) Pneumonectomy
Usually, no drains are used for the pneumonectomy patient because
the accumulation of fluid in the empty hemithorax prevents
mediastinal shift.
b) Lobectomy
With lobectomy, two chest tubes are usually inserted for drainage, the
upper for air and the lower for fluid
c) Wedge resection
With wedge resection, the pleural cavity usually is drained because of
the possibility of an air or blood leak
d) Segmentectomy
With segmentectomy, drains are usually used because of the
possibility of an air or blood leak.