Small Bore Tubes
8-14 Fr
- Usually inserted via Seldinger
- Do not require blunt dissection
- Better tolerated by patients
- Provide better seal
- Have been successfully used for pneumothorax, effusions or empyema
- Narrow lumen prone to blockage
Medium Bore Tubes
16-24 Fr
- Inserted by a Seldinger technique or blunt dissection
- Not possible to insert a finger to explore when inserting these tubes
Large Bore Tubes
>24 Fr
- Blunt dissection must be performed requiring basic surgical kit
- Finger sweep at insertion avoids lung trauma
- Less prone to blockages
- More painful insertion and whilst in situ