Indications for Tube Thoracostomies and Factors Associated with Complications among Patients Admitted to Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Tube thoracostomy is the procedure used in management of traumatic and atraumatic chest conditions. Despite its relative safety, it can still lead to potentially severe complications during or post its insertion.  Objective: To determine the common indications and complications for tube thoracostomies with their associated factors.  Patients and methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study for a total duration of 6 months involving patients who underwent tube thoracostomy during the study period. Recruitment of the patients was done under Convenience sampling technique from all hospital wards and units. A standardized structured questionnaire with TT Complication Reporting Tool incorporated into it was used and all data were entered into an Excel sheet then transferred to STATA version 15.0 software for analysis.  Results: Tuberculous and malignant effusion were the commonest indication by 36.9% followed by thoracic empyema (10.81%) in atraumatic category. In trauma; 16.22% had hemo-pneumothorax followed by pneumothorax (13.5%). 15.3% underwent tube thoracostomy as a post thoracotomy requirement. The observed 33.3% complications rate was significantly associated with age and tube duration where by tube size and urgency showed significant association with the depicted individual complications.  Conclusions: The usefulness of tube thoracostomy cuts across both atraumatic and traumatic indications. Despite its usefulness, it is not without complications as factors like age and tube duration are highly associated with its occurrence. We therefore emphasize on the utilization of proper measures towards complication rates reduction whilst accommodating its desired management outcome.