The most common complication of a<unk>  is<unk>  clogging.<unk>  clogging is widely recognized in published surveys of surgeons and nurses. In one study, 100% had seen<unk>  clogging, and a majority had seen adverse patient outcomes from<unk>  clogging. In a prospective observational study, over 36% of patients had<unk>  clogging after heart surgery.<unk>  clogging can lead to retained blood around the heart and lungs that can contribute to complications and increase mortality. If a<unk>  clogs when the patient is still bleeding they can become hypotensive from tamponade, or develop a large hemothorax. If there is not enough to cause a mechanical compression of the heart or lungs, the resulting inflammatory response to the retained blood can lead to pleural and pericardial effusions and contribute to the triggering of postoperative atrial fibrillation in susceptible individuals. A common complication after thoracic surgery that arises within 30–50% of patients are air leaks. If a<unk>  clogs when there is an airleak the patient will develop a pneumothorax. This can be life threatening. Here, digital chest drainage systems can provide real time information as they monitor intra-pleural pressure and air leak flow, constantly. Keeping vigilant about<unk>  clogging is imperative for the team taking care of the patient in the early postoperative period. Major insertion complications include hemorrhage, infection, and reexpansion pulmonary edema. Injury to the liver, spleen or diaphragm is possible if the<unk>  is placed inferior to the pleural cavity. Injuries to the thoracic aorta and heart can also occur. When<unk> s are placed due to either blunt or penetrating trauma, antibiotics decrease the risks of infectious complications. Minor complications include a subcutaneous hematoma or seroma, anxiety, shortness of breath, and cough (after removing large volume of fluid). In most cases, the<unk>  related pain goes away after the<unk>  is removed, however, chronic pain related to<unk>  induced scarring of the intercostal space is not uncommon. Subcutaneous emphysema indicates backpressure created by undrained air, often caused by a clogged<unk>  or insufficient negative pressure. If a patient has subcutaneous emphysema, it is likely their<unk>  is not draining and consideration should be given if it should be unclogged or another<unk>  should be placed so that the air leaking from the lung can be adequately drained.
Chest tube
Chest drainage
Tracheal tube
Pulmonary bay
Quinton catheter
Intrapleural pressure
Thoracostomy
Thoracotomy