A Simple and Effective Method of Preventing Inadvertent Occlusion of Chest Tube Drains: The Corrugated Tubing Splint

Inadvertent occlusion of tube thoracostomy drains by normal patient positioning can be not only a nuisance but also a potentially life-threatening problem. A method of splinting the pliable chest tube drains by using corrugated ventilator circuit tubing is described. This relatively simple and quick technique can help to prevent this undesired and potentially dangerous occlusion of chest tube drains.