General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Since chest tubes have been routinely used to drain the pleural space, particularly after lung surgery, the management of chest tubes is considered to be essential for the thoracic surgeon. The pleural drainage system requires effective drainage, suction, and water-sealing. Another key point of chest tube management is that a water seal is considered to be superior to suction for most air leaks. ⋯ Extraction of the tube is usually done at the end of full inspiration or at the end of full expiration. The tube removal technique is not as important as how it is done and the preparation for the procedure. The management of chest tubes must be based on careful observation, the patient's characteristics, and the operative procedures that had been performed.
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Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Jun 2016
Management of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (venous thromboembolism) during pregnancy.
The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is high during pregnancy. Although most patients with VTE are safely treated via medications, the optimal treatment for massive pulmonary embolism remains controversial. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of VTE management during pregnancy, we report our single center experience of treating VTE in pregnant women. ⋯ VTE during pregnant women is safely managed by anticoagulant therapy. Massive pulmonary embolism during pregnancy can be managed safely by surgical embolectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass, but the rate of fetal loss remains high.