One week after right lower lobectomy, we have mild airleake and 20% lung collapse. Hemodynamics are stable. we are in bed crises. Can we send the patient home on a hemlich valve instead of underwater seal?
Can we connect hemlich valve to a pigtail tube?
if the patient are stable in the x-ray follow up 36 hour. You can send the patient home with a normal chest tube not pigtail (24ch). Follow up in 7 days with x-ray. This can be an option in the treatment.
I do not believe a Heimlich valve is appropriate in this case (use tube). If the lung is down 20% with tube in place, I doubt it will "cure" itself. Further investigation is in order.
Never send the patient home with Heimlick valve in this setting. The valve can get clogged and pt. will develop tension pneumothorax. You may send the patient home with the normal chest tube with underwater seal drainage; and evalvalte the patient clinically and radiologically in the subsequent visits regading the feasibility of removing it.
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