Overview of the Spectrum of Chest Tubes with a Focus on Indwelling Pleural Catheters: Disease-Specific Selection

Diagnostic and therapeutic aspiration of air and fluid via thoracentesis or chest tube placement is one of the most basic and commonly performed pleural procedures. It is primarily performed by interventional pulmonologists, interventional radiologists, and thoracic surgeons; however, due to increasing service demands, there is a need for physicians from other backgrounds to develop competency in performing these procedures. This chapter will focus on the indications, contraindications, necessary equipment and preparation, basic procedural techniques and complications of chest tube, and indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) placement. Literature pertaining to post-procedure management and complications will be reviewed with a primary focus on IPCs. Training tools and methods of determining procedural competency for pleural procedures will also be discussed.