Thoracocentesis and thoracostomy tube placement

Both procedures are commonly performed in emergency medicine. Thoracocentesis is used to quickly stabilize acute breathing difficulties caused by the accumulation of air or fluid in the chest.
Thoracostomy tubes are placed for longer periods of time when frequent or repeated drainage is required. There are two patients in my photographs, one was diagnosed with traumatic pneumothorax due to a wound, the other had a pyothorax with a suspected abscess in the chest cavity. I performed both procedures using the small-bore wire-guided drainage method with MILA drains.