Pleural complications in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): how to safely apply and follow-up with a chest tube during the pandemic?. (9th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ceylan, Kenan Can; Batihan, Guntug; Yazgan, Serkan; Gürsoy, Soner; Kıraklı, Sami Cenk; Ataman, Sena
• Is Part Of: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery. Volume 58:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1216
• Page End: 1221
• Publication Date: 2020-11-09
• Subjects: Chest tube -- Coronavirus disease 2019 -- Pleural complication -- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 -- Tube thoracostomy; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezaa356
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1010-7940

Abstract

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a novel coronavirus, affects mainly the pulmonary parenchyma and produces significant morbidity and mortality. During the pandemic, several complications have been shown to be associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our goal was to present a series of patients with COVID-19 who underwent chest tube placements due to the development of pleural complications and to make suggestions for the insertion and follow-up management of the chest tube. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analysed data on patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our hospital between 11 March and 15 May 2020. Patients from this patient group who developed pleural complications requiring chest tube insertion were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 542 patients who were suspected of having COVID-19 were hospitalized. The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was confirmed with laboratory tests in 342 patients between 11 March and 15 May 2020 in our centre. A chest tube was used in 13 (3.8%) of these patients. A high-efficiency particulate air filter mounted double-bottle technique was used to prevent viral transmission. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19, the chest tube can be applied in cases with disease or treatment-related pleural complications. Our case series comprised a small group of patients, which is one of its limitations. Still, our main goal was to present our experience with patients with pleural complications and describe a new drainage technique to prevent viral transmission during chest tube application and follow-up. Abstract : The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily affects the lower respiratory system.