Chest Tube Placement (Thoracostomy) Procedure

What Is a Chest Tube?

A chest tube, also called a thoracostomy tube, is a flexible, hollow tube that is inserted through the chest wall into the space around the lungs (pleural space). The purpose of the chest tube is to drain air, fluid, or blood from the chest to allow the lungs to fully expand and function properly.

Why Is It Done?

Chest tubes are most often placed to treat:

Collapsed lungs (pneumothorax)
Fluid buildup (pleural effusion) due to infection, cancer, or heart failure;
Blood accumulation in the chest after trauma or surgery; or
Post-operative drainage after lung or heart surgery.

By removing unwanted air or fluid, chest tubes help relieve symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain, and they help prevent lung damage or infection.

In an emergency setting, a needle thoracostomy can be performed to release air stuck in the lungs (known as a tension pneumothorax)

What to Expect

During the Procedure

A chest tube procedure is typically done in a hospital setting under local anesthesia or sedation. The doctor will clean and numb the area on your chest, make a small incision, and insert the tube between the ribs into the pleural space. The tube is connected to a drainage system that allows air or fluid to leave the chest.

The placement typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and you may feel pressure or discomfort, but it should not be painful.

After the Procedure

Once in place, the chest tube will remain for a few days—depending on how quickly the air or fluid clears. You’ll be monitored closely, and chest X-rays may be taken to check your lung expansion. Breathing exercises and gentle movement may be encouraged to promote healing.

When the tube is no longer needed, it will be removed at the bedside. This is a brief process and typically well-tolerated. A small bandage is placed over the site.