An evidence-based approach to drainage of the pleural cavity: evaluation of best practice.

Recent surveys have uncovered major variations in key aspects of intercostal drain management, suggesting that decisions are being made on individual preferences without resorting to sound evidence. We provide an up-to-date review of the best practice with evidence-based recommendations and expert consensus views. The following aspects of chest drain management have been addressed: indications for drainage, insertion technique, complications, management of an indwelling chest drain, indications and technique for removal.

Bronchial artery dissection and fatal hemothorax following pneumonectomy.

A 59-year-old man died suddenly and unexpectedly two days after an uncomplicated pneumonectomy for bronchogenic adenocarcinoma. In addition to a distal pulmonary thromboembolism found at postmortem, there was significant hemorrhaging into the pneumonectomy space, which was associated with rupture of a dissecting aneurysm in the calcified bronchial artery stump. The pathology and surgical implications of bronchial artery disease are discussed.