Chest tube insertion: A prospective evaluation of pain management Journal Article


Authors: Luketich, J. D.; Kiss, M.; Hershey, J.; Urso, G. K.; Wilson, J.; Bookbinder, M.; Ginsberg, R.
Article Title: Chest tube insertion: A prospective evaluation of pain management
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate pain associated with chest tube insertion in a group of patients with malignant pleural effusions. Design: Prospective case series. Setting: Acute care cancer center in an academic institution. Patients: Fifty-two patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusions. Twenty-six evaluated by conventional approach to chest tube insertion (group 1), 26 evaluated after institution of a new chest tube protocol (group 2). Interventions: A new protocol was designed to improve pain control during chest tube insertion. The protocol included improved housestaff and nursing education, premedication, proper insertion techniques, and more liberal and precise delivery of local anesthetic. Outcome Measures: Both groups were evaluated by a verbal self-report scale (1-10) to assess pain and anxiety. Results: The mean pain rating in group 1 was 6.2 (±0.76) compared with 3.7 (±5.6) in group 2 (p < 0.01). In group 1, pain or anxiety was 9 or 10 in 12 of 26 on a scale of 1 to 10, compared with 2 of 26 in group 2 (p < 0.001). Anxiety rating was 4.5 (±0.72) in group 1 compared with 1.5 (±0.54) in group 2 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Chest tube insertion was associated with an unacceptably high level of pain and anxiety in our hospital. A new protocol, including housestaff education and changes in nursing policies, technical aspects, local anesthetic dose and delivery, and premedication, allowed us to approach the goal of a painless chest tube insertion.
Keywords: controlled study; treatment outcome; surgical technique; major clinical study; prospective studies; treatment indication; palliative care; pain; patient education; clinical protocol; self report; patient care; cancer center; self concept; pleura effusion; anxiety; pleural effusion, malignant; pain measurement; pain assessment; thorax drainage; pain management; intubation; premedication; pleural effusion; chest tubes; cancer; humans; human; priority journal; article; malignant effusion; tube thoracostomy
Journal Title: Clinical Journal of Pain
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0749-8047
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 1998-06-01
Start Page: 152
End Page: 154
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/00002508-199806000-00011
PUBMED: 9647458
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 12 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Robert J Ginsberg
    178 Ginsberg
  2. Margaret K Magyar
    6 Magyar