RESUMO
Three hundred and seventy four random patients admitted to the postoperative intensive care unit (lCU) underwent postoperative clinical positioning of endotracheal tube(ET), nasogastric tube, central venous catheter and laboratory arterial blood gas (ABG) assessment. Chest roentgenography was done for all the admitted patients and the findings reviewed. Thirteen (3.47%) patients required intervention because of abnormalities detected on chest roentgenography. None of the pathologic conditions detected was life threatening. Chest roentgenography on admission to the cardiovascular ICU should be done only if the surgery has been performed for cardiac trauma, re-exploration, and also if clinical and laboratory assessment indicate the possibility of underlying pathologic conditions that can only be confirmed by chest roentgenography.
RESUMO
Eight two patients operated for congenital cardio vascular disease are presented. All were selected to be managed without chest tube drainage after thoracotomy. However. in 1.4( 17.07%) patients chest tube drainage was necessitated at operation and of the 68(82.93%) patients. 4(5.88%) underwent an uneventful post operative chest tube insertion. Except on two occasions all the patients had uneventful post operative period. To reduce complications post operative hospital stay and unnecessary forgin body in chest we have employed a seleclive use of chest lubes for some common congenital cardiovascular disorders.