Fig. 17-4 Three Types of Chest Tube Bottle Systems

BOTTLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

Fig. 17-4 Three types of chest tube bottle systems

A. One-chamber system. B. Two-chamber system.

C. Three-chamber system with suction.

Four drainage systems are available: one-, two-, and three-chamber systems (Fig. 17-4), and a variety of disposable, commercial chest drainage systems.

The single-chamber system is primarily used in the treatment of pneumothoraxes. It allows air from the pneumothorax to bubble out of the water-seal and escape through the air outlet while preventing air from re-entering the intrapleural space. This system is used in emergency situation. However, it is not recommended for the evacuation of fluid because drainage would raise the level of the water-seal liquid. An increased height of fluid in the water-seal increases the resistance to drainage on expiration and will eventually stop the drainage entirely (Johanson. et al., 1988).

The two-chamber system provides a bottle for fluid or blood drainage and a second bottle for the water-seal. This system allows safe drainage of fluid without causing increased resistance.

The three-chamber system establishes a separate bottle for drainage, water-seal, and suction control. It is set up as a two-chamber system with the addition of a suction-control bottle, which is connected to a suction device (Johanson. et al., 1988).

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