Q What is the evidence related to clamping a chest tube before removal?

A Jonathan D. Hecht, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, replies:

Chest tubes have been used for centuries to manage a wide variety of thoracic conditions, including pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pleural effusion.1,2  After insertion into the pleural space, most chest tubes are connected to a chest drainage system.3  Modern chest drainage systems have 2 or 3 chambers that serve multiple functions.4  These systems promote removal of air or fluid by gravity when the system is positioned at least 1 foot below the insertion site.5  Additionally, most systems can be connected to an external suction source to facilitate removal of air or fluid beyond what gravity drainage can accomplish.

Chest drainage systems also prevent air or fluid from reentering the body through the use of a 1-way valve, which is made possible by...

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