A Simple Manoeuvre that Avoids Kinking of Chest Tubes

A chest tube kinked within the pleural space can cause poor drainage, discomfort and trauma on removal, and may require repositioning. With declining usage of trocars for chest tube placement, kinking may occur more frequently. Rotation of the tube around its long axis during insertion ensures that any tendency of the tip to deviate will be annulled by its spiralling forward progression in the direction of advancement. After placement, a straight or gently curved tube can be rotated freely. An angulated tube resists rotation and will twist back when released unless, in the process, it straightens out.