NICU · Respiratory
Chest Tube / Pigtail Size
Commonly used French sizes by weight for neonatal pneumothorax. Ranges are wider than for ETT sizing — this varies more by indication and operator preference.
Weight
Typical French size at this weight
Pick by indication, not weight alone. Pigtail catheters are commonly preferred for simple pneumothorax — smaller, image-guided, less invasive. Larger traditional tubes are more often used for hemothorax, chylothorax, or large effusions where a pigtail may kink or fail to keep up with drainage.
Reference by weight
| Weight | Pigtail | Traditional |
|---|
Clinical decision support only. Chest tube sizing for neonates varies more by institution, indication, and available equipment than ETT sizing does — there is no single universal weight-based table. Confirm with your institution's protocol and the proceduralist before placement. This is not a substitute for procedural training.
Reviewed by C. A. Leyva, MD, neonatologist · Last reviewed September 2026
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