Intercostal drainage Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Intercostal Drainage Overview Intercostal drainage, also known as chest tube insertion, is a procedure used to remove air, fluid or pus from the pleural space, which is the space between the lungs and chest wall. Indications Pneumothorax: Presence of air in the space between the chest and lungs, which causes lung collapsePleural Effusion: Presence of fluid in the pleural spaceHaemothorax: Presence of blood in the pleural spaceEmpyema: Presence of pus in the pleural space due to infectionPost-Surgical Drainage: Drainage after thoracic surgeries to prevent fluid/blood accumulation Procedure Preparation: The patient is positioned, usually sitting up or lying on the side. Local anaesthesia is administered to numb the area.Insertion: A small incision is made between the ribs, and a chest tube is inserted into the pleural space. The tube is then connected to a drainage system to allow the continuous removal of air, fluid, or pus.Positioning: The tube is often secured to the skin with sutures and covered with a sterile dressing.Monitoring: The patient is monitored to ensure proper drainage. The tube remains in place until the underlying issue is resolved, which is confirmed via imaging (e.g., chest X-ray). Removal The chest tube is removed once it is no longer needed (typically when drainage decreases and imaging shows resolution of the underlying problem). Complications InfectionBleedingTube displacementOrgan Injury (lung, liver or diaphragm)