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Best evidence topic reports
BET 4

https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.2010.101337

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    Does it matter whether a chest drain is aimed upwards or downwards for the optimum drainage of fluid or air from the pleural cavity?

    Report by: John Trenfield, SpR Emergency Medicine

    Search checked by: Ian Maconochie, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine

    Institution: St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London, UK

    Three-part question

    In [a patient presenting with a pleural effusion that requires draining] should [the chest drain be inserted apically or basally] to [drain most efficiently]?

    Clinical scenario

    A patient presents to the emergency department with significant dyspnoea. A chest x-ray reveals a pleural effusion. Should the chest drain be aimed apically or basally to drain efficiently?

    Search strategy

    Medline 1966-03/04 …

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    Footnotes

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.