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Consensus Guideline

Pleural Drains in Adults

Equipment required for pleural drain insertion

  • Large or small bore kit as applicable
  • Sterile gloves and gown
  • Skin antiseptic solution (e.g. iodine or 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol)
  • Sterile drapes
  • Gauze swabs
  • A selection of syringes and needles (19-25 gauge in adults)
  • Local anaesthetic (e.g. lignocaine 1%)
  • Scalpel and blade
  • Suture kit
  • Suture (stout and non-absorbable /1.0 - 2.0 silk or prolene)
  • Instrument for blunt dissection if required (curved clamp)
  • Guide wire and dilators for Seldinger technique
  • Chest tube
  • Connecting tube
  • Closed drainage system (including sterile water if UWSD is being used)
  • Dressing equipment may also be available in a kit form
  • Chest tube clamps (required for small or large bore catheters in the absence of 3 way tap)