What does it feel like when a chest tube is removed?

September 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to patient studies, many report a brief burning or pulling sensation during the procedure. Understanding what to expect when a chest tube is removed can significantly reduce anxiety and help you feel more prepared for the process ahead.

Quick Summary

During the quick procedure, patients most frequently report feeling a brief, sharp burning or pulling sensation as the tube is swiftly withdrawn, which only lasts for a few seconds. The subsequent lingering discomfort at the incision site can be managed with pain medication.

Key Points

Brief, Sharp Sensation: Expect a quick burning or pulling feeling, but know it lasts only a few seconds.
Importance of Breathing: Following your provider's breathing instructions is critical to prevent complications and ensures a smooth procedure.
Pain is Manageable: Discomfort can be minimized with pain relief medication given before or after the removal.
Lingering Soreness is Normal: The incision site will likely be sore for several weeks during the healing process.
Recovery Improves Quickly: Most patients report significant pain relief once the chest tube is removed, marking a positive step in recovery.
Fear is Often Worse than Reality: Many patients find that the anxiety leading up to the procedure is more challenging than the removal itself.

Understanding the Moment of Removal

Anticipating the removal of a chest tube can be a source of significant anxiety for patients. The sensation is often described as brief, sharp, and intense, but it is over in a matter of seconds. The procedure involves the removal of the stitches holding the tube in place, followed by the quick withdrawal of the tube by a healthcare provider. The exact feeling can vary among individuals, but several key sensations are commonly reported.

The Sensation During Removal

A Brief, Burning Sensation: This is one of the most frequently cited feelings. As the tube, which is held in place by a stitch, is pulled out from the skin and underlying tissues, it can create a momentary friction that feels like a flash of heat or a sharp sting.
A Strong Pulling Sensation: Many patients feel a distinct sense of pulling or tugging as the tube is withdrawn from the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest wall. This is often described as feeling odd or strange, rather than purely painful, but it is certainly noticeable.
Quick and Intense Discomfort: The most important thing to remember is that while the feeling can be intense, it is very short-lived. Patients are often surprised by how quickly the moment passes. The anticipation of the event is often more stressful than the actual experience.

The Role of Breathing During the Procedure

To ensure a safe and effective removal, your healthcare provider will give you specific breathing instructions. These are designed to prevent air from entering the chest cavity and causing a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) once the tube is out. Patients are typically asked to:

Take a deep breath in.
Hold that breath, or sometimes hum, while the tube is being pulled out.
Then, breathe normally after the dressing is applied.

This specific breathing technique is critical to the success of the procedure and ensures the pleural space remains properly sealed. A coordinated effort between the patient and the medical team ensures a swift and safe process.

What to Expect Immediately After Chest Tube Removal

Once the tube is out, the healthcare provider will immediately cover the insertion site with an occlusive, sterile dressing. This dressing often includes special gauze to seal the wound and prevent air leakage. A follow-up chest X-ray is often taken to confirm that the lungs are fully expanded and that no new air or fluid has collected.

Recovery at the Incision Site

While the immediate sensation of removal is fleeting, the incision site will continue to heal over the next few weeks. The area may feel sore, tender, or ache for some time. Patients should be given pain medication to manage any residual discomfort, which is often less severe than the pain experienced while the tube was in place. Some patients report feeling numbness, tightness, or itching as the nerves around the incision heal. These sensations are normal and should gradually subside.

Minimizing Discomfort During the Process

Medical professionals are well-equipped to manage pain and anxiety surrounding chest tube removal. You can take an active role in making the experience as comfortable as possible.

Communicate with your care team: Don't be afraid to voice your fears or concerns. They can provide reassurance and explain each step of the process in detail.
Take pain relief: If offered, take any prescribed or recommended pain medication before the procedure. It can significantly reduce discomfort.
Focus on breathing: The breathing instructions are a simple but powerful tool for managing the moment. Focus intently on following them to stay calm and help the process go smoothly.

What to Expect: Sensation During vs. After Removal


Aspect	Sensation During Removal	Sensation After Removal
Nature	Brief, sharp, intense, burning, or pulling.	Lingering soreness, tenderness, or a dull ache at the incision site.
Duration	Lasts only a few seconds.	Can persist for days or weeks, gradually improving.
Intensity	High, but very short-lived.	Lower, and generally manageable with oral pain medication.
Cause	Friction and movement of the tube leaving the body.	Healing of the skin and underlying tissue at the incision point.

Conclusion and Recovery Timeline

The removal of a chest tube is a quick procedure that marks a major step toward recovery. The most intense sensations are fleeting, and any lingering discomfort is typically manageable with medication. Following your healthcare provider's instructions, especially regarding breathing, will ensure a smooth process. Most patients experience a significant reduction in chest pain once the tube is gone and can look forward to a more comfortable recovery period. You can learn more about general recovery after chest procedures from the American Lung Association. A small scar at the incision site is common, but it will fade over time, and a full return to normal activities is the ultimate goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the removal can cause a brief, sharp sensation of burning or pulling, it is over very quickly—in just a few seconds. Most patients are surprised by how fast it is. Any lingering soreness is manageable with pain medication.

The actual removal process is extremely fast. After the dressings and sutures are removed, the healthcare provider pulls the tube out in just a few seconds while you follow specific breathing instructions.

Immediately after the tube is out, a sterile, occlusive dressing is applied to the site. You will likely have a follow-up chest X-ray to ensure proper lung expansion. The incision area will be sore for several weeks as it heals.

Yes, many healthcare facilities administer pain medication before or during the procedure to help minimize discomfort. Always speak with your care team about your pain management options.

The incision site will be covered by a special dressing for a few days. After that, it may appear as a small wound, which will eventually form a scar. Some mild pink or yellow drainage is normal as it heals.

Mild shortness of breath can sometimes occur, but significant difficulty breathing is a red flag. You should notify your healthcare provider immediately if you experience this, along with fever, increased pain, or wound discharge.

The initial healing of the incision takes a few weeks. Soreness will likely decrease over this period, but it can take up to a few months for all related sensations, like tightness or numbness, to fully resolve.