Final answer:
Chest tubes are inserted into the pleural space to suction blood and reestablish negative pressure within the chest cavity. Correct placement is typically in the fifth or sixth intercostal space, anterior to the midaxillary line. The procedure must be performed with care to avoid complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chest Tube Placement for Suction of Blood
When suction is required to remove blood within the chest cavity, chest tubes should be placed meticulously. The placement of a chest tube generally requires medical expertise and is a procedure often performed by healthcare professionals such as surgeons or specialized nurses. To effectively suction the blood, the tube must be inserted into the pleural space, the area surrounding the lungs.
In cases where a patient has experienced trauma or is undergoing surgery that leads to blood accumulation within the chest cavity, the goal is to reestablish the negative pressure that normally exists due to liquid adhesion. This negative pressure ranges from -4 to -8 mm Hg during exhalation and inhalation and is essential to keep the lungs inflated. If air or blood disrupts this pressure, it can cause the lungs to collapse. Therefore, the chest tube, connected to a suction device, is used to drain the blood and reestablish the required negative pressure within the chest cavity. Correct placement of the chest tube is critical for effective drainage and to prevent damage to internal structures.
The procedure of chest tube insertion and the application of suction are done under strict sterilization to avoid infection, and the tube is typically placed in the fifth or sixth intercostal space, just anterior to the midaxillary line for optimal drainage.