New pigtail catheter for pleural drainage in pediatric patients.

The conventional method of pleural drainage is tube thoracotomy, accomplished by chest wall dissection and blunt puncture. While this method is successful, it is relatively traumatic. We have designed a pigtail catheter which may be inserted into the pleural space by a modified Seldinger technique. This 8.5-Fr polyurethane catheter has six side ports inside its circular distal end. An airtight plastic bag is attached to the insertion needle to confirm pleural placement. Nineteen catheters were inserted in 16 neonates and small children with either pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. No complications were noted. All but one pneumothorax was successfully evacuated; however, the pneumomediastinum reaccumulated. Insertion proved to be safe, simple, and atraumatic. This pigtail pleural drainage catheter provides an alternative to standard tube thoracotomy.