Indications and Outcome of Patients Managed with Tube Thoracostomy at AIC Litein Hospital: A Prospective Case Series

Background Tube thoracostomy (TT) allows for the drainage of air or fluid from the pleural space. We aimed to describe the indications, management, and outcomes of patients managed with TT at AIC Litein Hospital in Southwestern Kenya. Methods This prospective study was undertaken between November 2020 and August 2022. All consecutive patients with TT were included. Data were collected on demographics, presentation, indications for TT, management, and outcome. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics and Research Committee. Results The study included 39 (33 male, 6 female) patients who had a mean age of 35 years (range 3-75) and 45 TTs placed for a median duration of 6 days (1-26). Hemopneumothorax (n=19), empyema thoracis (n=8), and pneumothorax (n=7) were the most common indications for TT. Trauma was noted in 28 cases presenting as assault (n=17), road traffic collision (n=8), fall (n=1), and barotrauma (n=1). Preadmission traumatic injuries led to four deaths, while fourteen (35.9%) patients developed TT-related complications, with three requiring TT replacement. Conclusions In this series, TT was mainly indicated for hemopneumothorax, empyema thoracis, and pneumothorax.