Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the cause and nurse of common complications in central venous catheter treated moderate or severe pleural effusion. Methods: Fifty-nine patients with moderate or severe pleural effusion were treated with per cutem closed thoracic drainage with central venous catheters. Then, the operative safety, postoperative complications and preventive measures were observed. Result: All patients were operated successfully at first time, two cases of catheter slippage and eight cases of catheter blockage happened. No infection, pneumothorax and reexpansion pulmonary edema happened. Conclusion: Closed thoracic drainage using central venous catheter is safe and effective in treatment of pleural effusion. Related knowledge, timely observation and proper nursing of the drainage tube, could effectively reduce and prevent the occurrence of complications.

Key words: central venous catheter, closed thoracic drainage, pleural effusion, complications