Pleural complications and chest tube follow-up in patients with COVID-19

Introduction: It was reported that the SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily affects the lower respiratory system and various pleural complications may accompany coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aims and objectives: We aimed to present the characteristics of patients who underwent a chest tube insertion due to pleural complications during COVID-19 disease and the technique we developed to minimize possible contamination from the underwater seal bottle in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively examined the characteristics of patients who developed pleural complications during COVID-19 disease in our hospital between March 11 and May 15, 2020. Results: Between March 11 and May 15, 2020, a total of 342 patients were hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19. Tube thoracostomy was performed in 13 (%3.8) of these patients due to pleural complications. Indications for chest tube placement were: Pneumothorax in six (%46.1) patients, pleural effusion in three (%23) patients, empyema in three (%23) patients, and hemothorax in one patient (%7.6). A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) viral filter mounted two bottle technique was used in the follow-up of chest drains (Figure 1). erj;58/suppl_65/PA438/F1 F1 F1 Conclusions: We believe that HEPA filter-mounted double bottle technique is an effective and feasible method for preventing viral transmission during the follow-up of patients with chest tubes.