Intercostal Catheter (ICC) Kit List

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Equipment required for safe insertion of an intercostal catheter for management of pneumothorax or pleural effusion.

Thoracic • Emergency • Advanced

Before Starting

  • Indication confirmed
  • Consent or best interests
  • Monitoring applied
  • Imaging reviewed

PPE

  • Gloves, sterile, 8.5 (or 8/9)
  • Gown, sterile, XL
  • Mask, surgical
  • Eye protection
  • Hair net / surgical hat

Core Equipment

  • Procedure trolley
  • Ultrasound machine (if effusion)
  • Ultrasound probe (curvilinear)

Procedure-Specific Equipment

Procedure pack

  • Drape, large fenestrated
  • Syringe, 10mL
  • Needle for drawing up
  • Needle for injecting local (25G)
  • Scalpel, 11 blade
  • Gauze squares, 10cm x 10cm (x5-10)

Suture & Securement

  • Needle holder
  • Scissors
  • Forceps
  • Suture, size 1, or 0
  • Surgical dressing

Underwater Seal

  • Drain container / device
  • 500mL sterile water for drain container
  • Drain tubing (keep sterile)

IF USING MODIFIED SELDINGER TECHNIQUE

Pigtail or Rocket thoracocentesis kit
  • Insertion needle
  • Syringe, 20 or 50mL
  • Guidewire
  • Scalpel (11-blade)
  • Dilators
  • Drain tube (size of your choice)
  • Drain tube straightener / wire guide
  • 3-way tap
  • various connectors

IF USING SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Surgical equipment and drain
  • Scalpel (22-blade) for skin
  • Artery forceps (for blunt dissection)
  • Kelly forceps (for delivering the tube)
  • Tube clamps x2 (for clamping tube before insertion)
  • Drain tube (size of your choice)

Drugs

  • Chlorhexidine 2% skin prep
  • Lidocaine (1% or 2%) with adrenaline
  • Narcotics / anxiolytics if awake

Post-Procedure

  • Drain connected, unclamped and functioning
  • Clean & tidy
  • Firmly secured with sutures and dressings
  • CXR for position / complications
  • Documentation

Notes

  • Triangle of safety unless ultrasound suggests a better location
  • Confirm position clinically and radiologically