>Is it not possible to develop a *small* plastic thoracic cannula
>which could be introduced like a Venflon used to treat a tension
>pneumothorax, taped to the skin and then attached to a Heimlich
>flutter valve and (optionally) a small, light plastic bag to help
>measure the air drained.
>
This is under development. A pig-tail catheter approximately the size of a
central line with a flutter valve attached is under test for both the
treatment of pneumothoraces and aspiration of pleural effusions. Currently
it is at the stage of "field testing" with a short commercial run and
limited availability but would hope in the near future for Rocket Medical to
be producing it as a fully available commercial product.
Richard Steyn
cardiothoracic surgeon and immediate care physician
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