An air leak presents as small air bubbles The amount of bubbling indicates the degree of the leak. To quantify the amount of air leak in a patient connected to a chest tube, the patient is asked to cough, and the water column and the water seal column in the chest tube drainage system are observed. Discontinue suction and observe on water seal if no recurrence of air leak, chest tube can be removed after confirming lung expansion on chest radiograph 2, 1 no air leak with expanded lung Chest tube can be removed after confirming on chest radiograph 2 53% of experts recommend against clamping trials before removal 2. Common signs of an air leak in a chest tube include bubbling in the water seal chamber and changes in the patient’s respiratory status
Continuous bubbling indicates an active leak, while changes such as increased respiratory rate or decreased oxygen saturation may also suggest a problem. Learn how to locate and fix air leaks in chest tube systems using simple steps and tools Find out the common causes and solutions for patient, connector and collection system problems. How do you know if your chest tube is clogged Signs of a clogged chest tube include decreased drainage, swelling at the insertion site, and difficulty breathing. Air leaks are commonly observed as continuous or intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber of a chest drainage system
