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IntroductionIntercostal chest drain (ICD) insertion is a commonly performed procedure in trauma and may be associated with significant morbidity.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of ICD complications in a major trauma service in South Africa over a four-year period from January 2010 to December 2013.ResultsA total of 1,050 ICDs were inserted in 1,006 patients, of which 91% were male. The median patient age was 24 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 20-29 years). There were 962 patients with unilateral ICDs and 44 with bilateral ICDs. Seventy-five per cent (758/1,006) sustained penetrating trauma and the remaining 25% (248/1006) sustained blunt trauma. Indications for ICD insertion were: haemopneumothorax (n=338), haemothorax (n=314), simple pneumothorax (n=265), tension pneumothorax (n=79) and open pneumothorax (n=54). Overall, 203 ICDs (19%) were associated with complications: 18% (36/203) were kinked, 18% (36/203) were inserted subcutaneously, 13% (27/203) were too shallow and in 7% (14/203) there was inadequate fixation resulting in dislodgement. Four patients (2%) sustained visceral injuries and two sustained vascular injuries. Forty-one per cent (83/203) were inserted outside the 'triangle of safety' but without visceral or vascular injuries. One patient had the ICD inserted on the wrong side. Junior doctors inserted 798 ICDs (76%) while senior doctors inserted 252 (24%). Junior doctors had a significantly higher complication rate (24%) compared with senior doctors (5%) (p<0.001). There was no mortality as a direct result of ICD insertion. Conclusions ICD insertion is associated with a high rate of complications. These complications are significantly higher when junior doctors perform the procedure. A multifaceted quality improvement programme is needed to improve the situation.

Original publication

DOI

10.1308/003588414x14055925058599

Type

Journal

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England

Publication Date

11/2014

Volume

96

Pages

609 - 613

Addresses

Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service, Department of Surgery, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Keywords

Humans, Pneumothorax, Wounds, Penetrating, Postoperative Complications, Thoracostomy, Retrospective Studies, Chest Tubes, Adult, Trauma Centers, Medical Audit, South Africa, Male, Young Adult