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Prepackaged collection (either custom or standard) of equipment and supplies designed for long-term drainage of abnormal fluid accumulation (e.g., effusions) from the pleural cavity. These kits typically consist of a catheter intended for pleural drainage that is partially implanted (i.e., tunneled) in the chest cavity and that includes an external valve; a drainage line especially designed to open the drainage catheter valve during drainage; dressings and supplies for changing the external dressing; and a vacuum source (typically a vacuum bottle) that is used to drain the fluid from the pleura. The kits may be supplied in supporting trays (i.e., procedure trays) consisting of a flat-bottomed receptacle with a border around the periphery supporting all the instruments and supplies needed for the procedure; the trays are usually covered or wrapped. Pleural drainage kits are used mainly for long-term, intermittent drainage of recurrent pleural effusions in ambulatory patients.
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