Prior to chest tube removal, what residual pneumothorax status is acceptable?

• A. None or small and stable
• B. Large and improving
• C. Moderate and increasing
• D. Any residual volume

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that chest tube removal is safe when the lung has re-expanded and there is no ongoing air leak. The only residual pneumothorax considered acceptable is none or a very small amount that remains stable on imaging and clinical exams. If the pneumothorax is large, or small but increasing or not resolving, removing the tube risks the lung collapsing again, so removal should be delayed until the air leak stops and the residual air is minimal and non‑progressive. In practice, a tiny, non‑progressive residual on chest radiographs with the patient clinically stable is the scenario where removal is acceptable.