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Complications of percutaneous thoracostomy in neonates and infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 296–299 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

Percutaneous thoracostomy tubes are widely used in neonates, infants and children. The technique has a low complication rate. Lung perforation by a pigtail catheter is described in a single case report.

Study Design:

This is a multi-center case series of neonates and infants who experienced thoracic organ injury following percutaneous chest tube placement between 2006 and 2015.

Result:

Eleven patients had chest tube-related thoracic organ injury. In six, tubes were placed during resuscitation. Gestational ages ranged from 24+6 weeks to term. Most of the chest tubes were pigtail catheters, and the most common injury was lung lobe perforation. Pericardium and mediastinum were also sites of injury. Some patients had small pleural effusions, with no other complications identified.

Conclusion:

Thoracic organ injury by percutaneous catheters may be more common than previously appreciated. Clinical and radiological findings are non-specific, and the diagnosis may not be apparent until autopsy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis,, MN, USA

    R C Reed

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington,, VT, USA

    B L Waters

  3. Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle,, WA, USA

    J R Siebert

  4. Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle,, WA, USA

    J R Siebert

Authors
  1. R C Reed
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  2. B L Waters
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  3. J R Siebert
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Correspondence to R C Reed.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Reed, R., Waters, B. & Siebert, J. Complications of percutaneous thoracostomy in neonates and infants. J Perinatol 36, 296–299 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.190

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.190

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