USE OF PIGTAIL IN PNEUMOTHORAX DRAINAGE: SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Pneumothorax is a clinical condition characterized by the presence of air in the pleural cavity, which can lead to lung collapse and respiratory impairment. This study aims to evaluate the risks and benefits of using pigtail catheters compared to traditional chest tubes for the management of pneumothorax. Through a systematic review, 83 studies were analyzed, of which 10 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. The methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines, with searches performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline Ovid and SciELO databases. The results indicate that the use of pigtail catheters offers several advantages, including less pain associated with the procedure, shorter hospital stay and lower incidence of complications, such as device displacement and local infection, while maintaining clinical success rates comparable to those of traditional methods. These findings suggest that pigtail catheters are an effective and safe alternative in the management of pneumothorax, especially in outpatient settings. However, it is critical that adequate training of medical staff is ensured to maximize the benefits of this approach.