A pleural drainage system having an inflatable membrane and a method of using the system are disclosed. The pleural drainage system includes a pleural drainage catheter system. The pleural drainage catheter system includes an inflatable membrane and a drainage catheter integrally coupled to the inflation membrane, the drainage catheter defining a drainage lumen through which fluid is drawn from the pleural cavity, and an inflation lumen coupled for flow of inflation fluid to and from an interior of the inflatable membrane. The pleural drainage system further includes a suction system coupled to the drainage catheter and a fluid collector coupled to receive fluid from the drainage catheter. The pleural drainage system further includes an inflation system connected to deliver inflation fluid to the interior of the inflatable membrane. The pleural drainage system may be used to monitor an associated airleak in the pleural cavity of a patient.
