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Catheters designed for percutaneous insertion through the secondary costal space into the pleural cavity for quick extraction of sudden air accumulation. These devices typically consist of a strong needle catheter of a relatively wide diameter (e.g., 14 gauge) and short length (about 3.25 inch/8 cm) and a mechanism for immediate confirmation of appropriate placement; the catheter may be attached to a vacuum source to facilitate the procedure. The catheter may also include a dedicated easy-open case intended to facilitate its removal and handling. Pleural tension pneumothorax catheters are used mainly in emergency situations to facilitate a quick and accurate management of patients with symptoms of tension pneumothorax frequently due to trauma.
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