1. Pneumothorax
In any ventilated patient
Tension pneumothorax after initial needle relief
Persistent or recurrent pneumothorax after simple aspiration
Large secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in patients over 50 years
2. Malignant pleural effusion
3. Empyema and complicated parapneumonic effusion
4. Traumatic haemopneumothorax
5. Postoperative – for example, thoracotomy,
esophagectomy, cardiac surgery