Stephen J Lewis1, Sam G N Keshen2, Noah D H Lewis2, Taylor E Dear2, Arne Mehrkens3, Ahtsham U Niazi2. 1. Division of Orthopaedics, Toronto Western Hospital, East Wing 1-E442, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. Electronic address: stephen.lewis@uhn.on.ca. 2. Division of Orthopaedics, Toronto Western Hospital, East Wing 1-E442, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada. 3. Division of Orthopaedics, Toronto Western Hospital, East Wing 1-E442, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada; Division of Orthopaedics, Spine Unit, Basel University Hospital, Spitalstr. 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review and expose the occurrences of tension pneumothorax as a result of pleural tear during posterior spinal surgery. METHODS: Intraoperative reports were retrospectively reviewed for 2 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion and experienced pleural tear and subsequent tension pneumothorax. Surgical decisions for recognition and treatment were also reviewed. RESULTS: Unrecognized pleural tearing led to the formation of tension pneumothorax in both patients studied. Onset of respiratory signs and symptoms were delayed, occurring in the recovery room for the first patient and intraoperatively for the second. Both patients were successfully treated with conversion to open pneumothorax and placement of chest tubes. CONCLUSIONS: Tension pneumothorax is a complication that can arise during posterior thoracic spinal surgery as a result of an inadvertent pleural tear. Awareness of this potentially fatal complication will greatly help in the timely recognition and treatment of this condition if this situation occurs. The authors recommend a low threshold for chest tube placement in patients with known or suspected pleural tears or in patients with undiagnosed respiratory failure undergoing posterior thoracic spine surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To review and expose the occurrences of tension pneumothorax as a result of pleural tear during posterior spinal surgery. METHODS: Intraoperative reports were retrospectively reviewed for 2 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion and experienced pleural tear and subsequent tension pneumothorax. Surgical decisions for recognition and treatment were also reviewed. RESULTS: Unrecognized pleural tearing led to the formation of tension pneumothorax in both patients studied. Onset of respiratory signs and symptoms were delayed, occurring in the recovery room for the first patient and intraoperatively for the second. Both patients were successfully treated with conversion to open pneumothorax and placement of chest tubes. CONCLUSIONS: Tension pneumothorax is a complication that can arise during posterior thoracic spinal surgery as a result of an inadvertent pleural tear. Awareness of this potentially fatal complication will greatly help in the timely recognition and treatment of this condition if this situation occurs. The authors recommend a low threshold for chest tube placement in patients with known or suspected pleural tears or in patients with undiagnosed respiratory failure undergoing posterior thoracic spine surgery.