Anaesthesia | General ICU Care | Seldinger chest drain

Seldinger Chest Drain
Session Overview
Description
This session describes the indications for pleural drain insertion and how a Seldinger pleural drain can be inserted. It explains the supporting role of ultrasonography and the management of patients undergoing Seldinger drain insertion, before during and after the procedure.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Identify the indications for pleural drain insertion
• Describe the potential advantages of Seldinger drain insertion over a surgical technique of drain insertion
• Summarize the role of ultrasonography
• Explain the Seldinger insertion technique for pleural drainage
• Discuss the general management of the patient undergoing pleural drainage

Seldinger pleural drains can be inserted to drain pneumothoraces or pleural effusions.

Although the insertion technique is easy to learn, it can result in significant complications which can be reduced by using ultrasonography, and having an understanding of the relevant anatomy and pathophysiology.

Optimal general management of the patient before, during and after the procedure reduces the associated risks.

As an anaesthetist, it is important that you understand about ultrasound-guided drain insertion and comparisons between Seldinger drain insertion and traditional blunt dissection.