Anette Viftrup

Background: Chest drains (chest tubes and pigtail catheters) may induce pain during and after insertion. Objective: To investigate patient-reported pain in patients with chest drains. Methods: Across-sectional questionnaire study. On the day after chest drain insertion, patients described their present pain and recalled the pain during and 1-2 hours after insertion. Pain intensity (VAS) was recorded during insertion. The following was recorded 1-2 hours and one day after insertion: pain intensity at rest (VAS, Likert) and during physical activity (Likert scale), site, location (superficial or deep), duration and the character of pain. Results: Patients were consecutively included (49 with chest tube and 82 with pigtail catheter). Chest tubes caused moderate pain intensity at all measured points; pigtail catheters caused light pain. The duration of pain predominantly lasted > 1 minute or was constant, and the character of pain was shooting and tender. Significantly higher pain intensity was seen in women than in men, and during physical activity than at rest. Conclusion: To increase the quality of care concerning pain management in patients with chest drain, we suggest an increased attention to pain intensity, duration and description of pain, especially in patients with chest tubes, in women and during physical activity.