Pleural Service - Patient Information

Click here to read a PDF version of this leaflet available to download, including images.

 

Introduction


This leaflet will provide you with information on your Thora-vent device and what to do when you are at home.  If after reading the information, you have any further questions, please speak to one of the team.


About your Thora-Vent device


•    Your Thora-Vent is a small device placed on the front of your chest to drain air from the chest cavity due to air leak called a pneumothorax.


•    It has a one-way valve with a self-sealing port and a small catheter (thin, flexible tube) that lets extra air out of your chest. It allows your lung to fully re-expand. 


•    The vent is secured to your chest with adhesive wings. It may also be sutured (stitched) in place. 


Your vent is made up of 2 parts:


1.    The chamber which is the main part of your vent.   Within the chamber, there is a red signal diaphragm that tells your healthcare provider the status of air leak. 


When the diaphragm stays in the downward position for about 1 hour or longer, your lung may have fully re-expanded.


2.    Adhesive wings.  There are 2 adhesive wings which are located on both sides of the chamber and hold it in place (see figure 1 below).

 

How to care for your ambulatory device


•    Your Thora-Vent should be in direct contact with your chest.


•    Keep your Thora-Vent device dry at all times. When having a wash direct any water away from the vent.


•    If the adhesive wings start to separate from your skin, use tape to secure them in place.  Do not put tape on the chamber or red diaphragm.


•    You can do mild exercises, such as walking and climbing stairs as this will help you gain strength and feel better. 


•    You can also do breathing exercises to help your lung re-expand.

 

Please call the pleural clinic on 01782 675353 if:


•    The catheter (tube) is visible including the part going into your skin.  No part of the catheter should be visible.


•    Your vent moves out of place or the device becomes separated from your skin.  Do not change the position or remove your vent at any time yourself. 


•    Your vent drains fluid into chamber.


•    You have a fever (38 C˚ or higher).


•    Your red signal diaphragm is in the downward position for 1 hour or longer.


•    You have new chest pain or shortness of breath.


•    The area near the insertion site becomes red, puffy or feels warm and painful when you touch it.


•    Your vent is collecting blood or other fluid.

 

Activities to avoid while ambulatory device is in place


•    Do not do any strenuous exercise or sports while Thora-Vent device is in place.  
•    Do not fly.
•    Do not lift anything heavy.
•    Do not take bath, go swimming, or submerge yourself in water.

 

Contact details

Pleural clinic  

tel: 01782 675353    

Pleural Clinic Co-ordinator  tel:  01782 671247


Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5pm


Out of hours


Call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department

 

Click here to view the PDF version of this leaflet including images.

Introduction
This leaflet provides information about your chest tube connected to a Rocket® Ambulatory Chest Drain bag (often referred to as a “flutter bag”) and what to do when you are at home. If you have any further questions, please speak to a member of the team.
About your Rocket Ambulatory Chest Drain 
  • You had a chest tube (chest drain) inserted in hospital to allow drainage of fluid (effusion) and/or air (pneumothorax) from the chest cavity (the space between the lungs and the rib cage).
  •  You are now ready to go home but you still require the chest tube to remain in place until further review. 
  • Prior to discharge, the pleural team will connect your chest tube to a Rocket® Ambulatory Chest Drain (flutter bag).
  • When attached to the chest tube, the ambulatory chest drain allows you to be mobile and enables you to go home while continuing your recovery. 
  • It works by allowing air to flow out of the bag through the one-way flutter valve, while preventing air from going back into your chest. 
  • It will also allow collection of any fluid that has drained from the chest. 
  •  The drain comes with a belt, which will help keep the bag in place. This will be fitted around your waist before discharge and can be adjusted using the Velcro strips.
 
Different parts of your Rocket Ambulatory Chest Drain (flutter bag) can be seen on the pictures below:
How to care for your Ambulatory Chest Drain 
  • Keep your ambulatory chest drain (flutter bag) attached to the belt, with the front of the bag (visible carbon filter and graduations) facing outwards.
  • When in bed, do not lie on the bag as this can prevent it from draining.
  • Keep the valve open at all times.  A red clip prevents the valve from accidentally closing and acts as a reminder that it is open.  If the red clip disconnects, place it underneath the green cap in some bags it is blue colour) and push it into place.
If you feel that not enough air is escaping from the bag and the bag has become inflated, check the green valve (in some bags it is blue), is open at the top of the bag and is not blocked.  If the valve has become blocked with thick fluid, the bag will need replacing.
If you have fluid in your pleural space, the bag will collect it.  Occasionally, fluid may leak from the green valve (in some bags it is blue colour) at the top of the bag. 
If the bag becomes full, you may empty the fluid using the tap at the bottom of the bag.  You may find it useful to do this before going to bed. 
  • Empty the bag by turning the tap at the bottom.
  • The graduations on the bag allow you to see how much fluid is draining. Please keep a record of the amount drained every 24 hours.
  • Keep your chest tube and ambulatory chest drain dry. When washing, direct water away from the chest tube and bag.
  • You can do mild exercise, such as walking and climbing stairs, to help gain strength and feel better.
  • You can also do breathing exercises to help your lung re-expand.
 
When to contact the pleural clinic
Activities to avoid while ambulatory chest drain is in place
  • Do not do any strenuous exercise or sports.  
  • Do not fly.
  • Do not lift anything heavy.
  • Do not take a bath, go swimming, or submerge yourself in water.
Contact details
Pleural clinic: 01782 675353
Pleural Clinic Co-ordinator: 01782 671247
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Out of hours:
Call NHS 111 for advice or 999 in an emergency          or attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.