Pigtail catheters used in the treatment of pneumothoraces in the neonate

Adv Neonatal Care. 2009 Feb;9(1):7-16. doi: 10.1097/01.ANC.0000346089.97615.71.

Abstract

Air leak in the neonatal population can be a deadly situation. Neonates have many risk factors that can contribute to air leak. These include, but are not limited to, respiratory distress syndrome; mechanical ventilation; sepsis; pneumonia; aspiration of meconium, blood, or amniotic fluid; and congenital malformations. In the NICU, the staff must be prepared to diagnose and treat pneumothoraces in a timely manner. Pathophysiology of air leaks in the neonate including the anatomy of the chest and diagnosis, indications, and common methods for the treatment of a pneumothorax in an infant is explained in this article. In addition, the latest form of treatment for neonates, known as the modified pigtail catheter, is described. A comprehensive literature review of the evidence behind the use of the pigtail catheter in neonates will be incorporated. Finally, the step-by-step placement of this catheter using the modified Seldinger technique will be illustrated and described in detail.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Catheters, Indwelling*
  • Chest Tubes*
  • Drainage
  • Equipment Design
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care, Neonatal / methods
  • Neonatal Nursing / methods
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Patient Selection
  • Physical Examination
  • Pneumothorax / diagnosis
  • Pneumothorax / etiology
  • Pneumothorax / therapy*
  • Risk Factors
  • Safety
  • Thoracostomy / instrumentation*
  • Thoracostomy / methods
  • Thoracostomy / nursing
  • Transillumination