This comprehensive review covers the indications, procedural techniques (Seldinger method), daily management strategies, removal criteria, and complications of small-bore pigtail catheters for pleural space diseases including transudative and simple exudative pleural effusions.
Pigtail catheters are recommended as first-line treatment for a range of pleural conditions involving low-viscosity fluids; the Seldinger insertion technique is described as reliably teachable. Complications — including bleeding, pain, extrapleural placement, neurovascular injury, infection, dislodgement, and occlusion — can occur at placement or during dwell time. Catheters may need to be uncoiled prior to removal to prevent tissue injury.
This is a narrative review without systematic search methods or quantitative analysis, so no outcome data or comparative effectiveness estimates are provided. The full text was not available for review, limiting assessment of the evidence base cited.
Clinicians should perform daily system checks while a pigtail catheter is in place and base removal decisions on fluid quantity, quality, and resolution of the underlying pathology. Uncoiling the catheter before removal is an important step to avoid tissue injury.
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