Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Standard treatment of the pneumothorax is insertion of a chest tube. Chest tube may cause pain because of its large caliber and large incision during the insertion, and prevent expansion of the lung. Pigtail catheters are smaller, less invasive and cause less pain. The aim of this study is to compare treatment efficacy of the pigtail catheter and the chest tube at the treatment of iatrogenic pneumothorax.

METHODS

Between 2013-2018, patients who developed iatrogenic pneumothorax were evaluated retrospectively. Patients treated with the 8 French pigtail catheter by the Interventional Radiology Department and patients treated with the 28-36 French chest tube by the Thoracic Surgery Department were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were included in the study. 26 (43%) patients (mean age was 58.5±13.52) were treated with the 8 French pigtail catheter. Duration of the catheter was minimum 1 day, maximum 4 days and mean 1.38±0.80 days. 34 (57%) patients (mean age was 60.2±12.7) were treated with the 28-36 French chest tubes. Minimum, maximum, and mean dwell times of the chest tubes were 4, 7, and 4.71±0.97 days, respectively. Treatment success rates with the 8 French pigtail catheters, and chest tubes were 96.2%, and 97.1%, respectively. There was no difference between the success rates of both treatment modalities (p=0.647).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In the treatment of iatrogenic pneumothorax in adults, 8 French and other small diameter pigtail catheters are safe, effective and should be thought as the first-line treatment option.