Jornal de Trauma e Tratamento

Stage of Respiration During Removal of Intercostal Catheters: A Review of Physiology and Literature

Abstract

Winkle B1* and Nair L2

Insertion of an Intercostal Catheter (ICC) is an accepted treatment for a pneumothorax (primary, secondary,
traumatic or iatrogenic), haemothorax, pleural effusion or post thoracic surgery. Reinsertion of an ICC is the most
common complication of removal, primarily due to recurrence of a pneumothorax. There are many guidelines for
when to remove an ICC and criteria that must be met to reduce incidence of recurrent pneumothorax. However there
is a significant lack of discussion regarding the exact procedure to remove an ICC, with specific focus on the stage
of breathing required.