Chest drain placement in a dog

Placement of a chest drain using a closed technique. Patient is in lateral recumbency with the affected side uppermost. General anaesthesia is preferred although it can be done under sedation. Patient is clipped and prepped as per a surgical procedure. Count forward from last rib to an appropriate rib space. Typically the skin incision will be around the 10th intercostal space, allowing a sub-cutaneous tunnel to be placed of 2 intercostal spaces so that the drain will enter the 8th intercostal space. Local anaesthesia is recommended even for patients under general anaesthesia. (1-2mg/kg Bupivacaine). The local anaesthetic is injected at the point of the skin incision. Through the sub-cutaneous tunnel. Finally down into the intercostal space where the drain will be inserted. Patient is then draped. For more on this article click the link attached.