Complications related to tube thoracostomy in Southwest Finland hospital district between 2004-2014

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and types of complications after tube thoracostomy (TT) among all patients treated with TT for both traumatic and non-traumatic indications.

This was a retrospective register-based study of patients treated with TT between the years 2004-2014 in Southwest Finland hospital district.

1808 patients who had undergone TT were identified, complete data on TT treatment was available for 1169 patients. 233 (19.9%) patients had 289 complications, 284 (98.3%) were positional resulting in tube malfunction. In 84 (7.2%) patients malposition of the tube resulted in need for non-urgent operative treatment. There were 103 in-hospital deaths, but none due to TT complications. Empyema as a treatment indication was more frequent in patients with complications (15,9% vs 6,8%, p<0.001) as was diabetes (21,9% vs 13,2%, p=0.001). The likelihood of complications was lower with CH16 tubes (OR 0.22, p<0.001) and higher in diabetics (OR 1.86, p=0.001).

Tube thoracostomy is a common procedure and complications occur in 19.9% of patients. Serious complications caused by the chest tube placement, however, are extremely rare. Complications were most common in patients treated for empyema and diabetics. Small CH16 tubes were associated with a lower incidence of complications.