Fluid collection from intercostal drainage catheter-simplified.

Sir,

We read with interest the article titled “Specimen collection from chest tube: A novel method”[1] as the method described by the authors is ingenious but easy at the same time; more importantly, it aimed to simplify a procedure often used by physicians in their day-to-day practice. In this regard, we would like to share the collection method used by us which is equally effective, safe, and cheap.

We use a suction catheter [Figure 1] which is cut in half using a sterile blade. The cut suction catheter is then attached to a syringe on one end and to an adaptor (provided in the chest tube set) on the other [Figure 2]. The Intercostal Drainage (ICD) tube is then clamped and the assembly attached to the chest tube. After removing the clamp, fluid, can be easily aspirated by applying suction [Figure 3]. The cost involved is meagre as it requires only a suction catheter and a syringe. Ordinarily fluid collection can be completed in a small time. For collection of slowly draining fluid, the chest tube can be clamped for a few hours and then the same assembly can be used for fluid collection. As the assembly snugly fits to the ICD catheter, the risk of air entering the pleural space is practically nil. Interestingly, the same assembly can be used to deliver drugs (e.g. during chemical pleurodesis) to the pleural space conveniently and effectively.

Figure 1

The suction catheter (intact) along with adaptor and syringe

Figure 2

Cut suction catheter attached to the adaptor on one side and syringe on the other, forming a snugly fitting unit

Figure 3

The unit attached to the ICD catheter with aspirated fluid in the syringe