CIA Medical is a leading provider of medical and surgical supplies. See our list of chest tubes and prices below. Order online, call us at (312) 275-5850, or get a 2-hour custom quote by filling the form on this page.
What Is a Chest Tube?
A chest tube, which may also be referred to by several other names like chest drain and intercostal drain, is a particular type of surgical drain which is inserted through the chest and into the pleural space around the lungs in order to drain out unwanted substances like air, blood, pus, and fluid.
Chest tubes are available in various sizes and may be made of different materials. The most common materials used to make them are PVC and silicone. They are usually semi-flexible and hollow, allowing for fluids and other substances to pass through them. They also usually feature a series of side holes around the outside of the tube to aid with drainage.
Chest tubes are used in hospitals and clinics around the world in many different situations when patients have unwanted substances in their pleural cavities, like excess fluid, blood, pus, or air.
Medline #DYNJ38581, CHEST TUBE INSERTION TRAY-LF, EACH
Medline #DYNDL1325, TRAY, CHEST TUBE, PEDIATRIC DISP, NORTON, 20/CS
Medline #DYK1015098CT3, KIT, NS CHEST TUBE, 1ST HLTH MOORE REG, 25/CS
Medline #DYNJ38581, CHEST TUBE INSERTION TRAY-LF, 19/CS
Medline #DYNDA1084, PACK, CHEST TUBE, 10/CS
Medline #CDS980949, CHEST TUBE CDS, 5/CS
Medline #DYK1009995C2, KIT, REMOVAL, CHEST TUBE, FREDERICK MEM, 7/CS
Medline #DYNDA1099, TRAY, CHEST TUBE INSERTION, 10/CS
Centurion #66280, CLAMP, CHEST, TUBE, STERILE, EACH
How Does a Chest Tube Work?
The main way in which chest tubes are used is in a procedure called a thoracostomy. This is when the tube is inserted into the so-called "safe zone" beside the pectoralis major. First, local anesthetic will be used to numb the insertion site, and the skin will be cleaned, too. A small incision is then made in the skin to form a passage for the tube to pass through the skin and muscle and into the pleural space. Once the tube is in position, a radiograph can be used to check it's in the right place before drainage begins.
Chest Drain Sizes
Chest tubes are available in a wide range of sizes, as they may need to be used for patients of different ages, genders, and body types. Like IV lines and catheters, they are measured using the French gauge system, with average adult sizes ranging from 28 to 32 Fr and pediatric sizes ranging from 12 to 18 Fr.
Chest Drain Types
Chest tubes may be divided into different types based on their size and design. Pediatric chest tubes, for example, are much smaller and narrower than adult-size chest tubes. There are also chest tubes which may have different numbers of side holes or may be made of different materials.
Chest Drain Uses
There are many medical uses of chest tubes, and their primary function is to help drain out unwanted substances from inside the chest. They may be used in cases of pneumothorax (too much air or gas in the pleural space) or pleural effusion (too much fluid in the pleural space, like lymph fluid, pus, blood, or serous fluid).
Chest Drain Suppliers
Cook Medical, Medline, and Atrium are some of the top suppliers of chest tubes.
Buy Wholesale Chest Drain Tubes Online at CIA Medical
CIA Medical is a name you can trust for chest tubes in a wide range of sizes and types, and we have one of the widest selections of medical wholesale goods in the world. Thanks to our competitive pricing, industry-leading standards of customer service, and broad product range, you can rely on CIA Medical to meet your needs for any and all wholesale medical supplies.
