Where should a chest drain be placed in relation to the ribs?

  • The intercostal spaces are filled with:
    • Intercostal muscles,
    • Intercostal vein, artery, and nerve – lying in the costal groove along the inferior margin of the superior rib
  • To avoid the neurovascular bundle, it is typically advocated that the drain be located in the interspace just superior to the rib
The neurovascular bundle and site of chest drain insertion