Fellow

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether the seldinger “over the wire ” technique is better than other tech-niques of pneumothorax drainage. Altogether 28 papers were found using the reported search, of which three presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated. Clinical scenario A 30 year old man presents to the emergency department after a road traffic accident. On initial assessment you identify a haemothorax/pneumothorax on the left side of his chest; there are no signs of tension. You elect to place a chest drain and discover that you have a seldinger “over the wire