Water seal only chest tube?

[cmschloss97]

Is it possible for a chest tube to be water seal only (without being connected to an outside suction source)? How you this be set up and is it better for a patients respiratory status?

[Wuzzie]

1. Yes

2. That depends on what system your facility has.

3. It's not better or worse. Water seal is used when there is no longer an air leak (for pneumo) or drainage (for effusion). It is used in anticipation of pulling the chest tube.

[mrsboots87]

Water seal is roughly -12 "suction" by use of gravity. Physicians usually order this when the effusion or pneumo is likely gone and they are going to pull the tube in a day or two. It's a way to monitor output and patient response for a day or two to be sure the patient is ready to have the chest tube out. As long as the patient is still connected to the closed drainage system, you simply turn the auction off.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

3. It's not better or worse. Water seal is used when there is no longer an air leak (for pneumo) or drainage (for effusion). It is used in anticipation of pulling the chest tube.

I worked on a thoracic surgery unit. If someone had an air leak, their CT was kept on suction at first. However, if the air leak persisted (i.e., for days), the CT was put to water seal, and, generally, this did lead to resolution of the air leak. This all based on physician order, of course.