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Corresponding Author

Abdulrahman Abdullah Ahmed

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Pigtail catheters are considered an alternative to conventional intercostal tubes for the drainage of empyema.

Aim: To compare the pigtail catheter and intercostal chest tube in the drainage of empyema.

Patients and methods: This was a prospective investigation that was carried out at the Chest Department, Al-Azhar University, from January 2023 to December 2023. The research involved a total of forty individuals who were presented with empyema and were diagnosed clinically, radiologically, and by analysis of pleural fluid.

Results: There was no statistically significant variance among the two groups concerning age, sex, main complaints (chest pain, dyspnea, fever, and cough), outcome of drainage, the means of the length of drainage of pleural fluid, duration of I.V. antibiotic use, length of hospitalization, and the median total duration of illness, pneumothorax, and dislodged catheter. The average length of time analgesia usage was significantly greater among individuals in group A than those in group B. Chest pain at the site of insertion was significantly complicating the procedure in 55% of patients in group A in contrast to 20% of cases in group B (P = 0.048), while blockage of the catheter was significantly complicating the procedure in 35% of patients in group B compared to only 5% of patients in group A (P = 0.044).

Conclusion: Pigtail catheters are safe and are beneficial alternatives for the evacuation of empyema. There was no significant difference in the outcome, duration of drainage, and time of hospital stay between the pigtail and chest tube groups. Pigtail was better tolerated in terms of pain and mobility after intervention. It can be used as a primary therapeutic option for empyema.

Keywords

Pigtail Catheter; Intercostal Chest Tube; Drainage of Empyema

Subject Area

Chest

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