Effect of 30% Ethanol on Closed Thoracic Drainage for Patients with Hydropneumothorax

Objective To investigate the effect of 30% ethanol on closed thoracic drainage for patients with hydropneumothorax.Methods Eighty patients with hydropneumothorax who received a closed thoracic drainage and had lots of foams produced in the drainage bottle were enrolled in this study,and were randomized into an experimental group and a control group equally.Patients in the control group were given conventional nursing for closed thoracic drainage,with orifice of drainage tube immersed 1-2 cm below the surface level;their counterparts in the experimental group were given modified nursing for closed thoracic drainage,with 30% ethanol in drainage bottle for sealing,and the depth of the drainage tube immersed into water increased to 3-4 cm.Results No significant differences were found in the physiological response 6 hours after the drainage between the two groups(P0.05 for all);while the height of foams in the drainage bottle of the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P0.01).Conclusion 30% ethanol can effectively eliminate foams produced in the closed thoracic drainage bottle,and it can be used for closed thoracic drainage.