G Johnson1. 1. Accident and Emergency Department, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the management of traumatic pneumothorax in a department where some of these injuries do not receive chest drains. METHODS: A retrospective study of the management of traumatic pneumothorax was performed on a unit where historically many of these injuries have been treated conservatively. RESULTS: 54 pneumothoraces in a three year period were identified. Of these, 29 injuries (54.7%) were initially managed without drainage. Two patients subsequently had chest drains inserted as a result of asymptomatic radiological enlargement of the pneumothorax while inpatients. No patients deteriorated clinically during conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Chest drain insertion for small or moderate sized traumatic pneumothoraces, in the absence of other significant injuries or the need for intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), may be unnecessary.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the management of traumatic pneumothorax in a department where some of these injuries do not receive chest drains. METHODS: A retrospective study of the management of traumatic pneumothorax was performed on a unit where historically many of these injuries have been treated conservatively. RESULTS: 54 pneumothoraces in a three year period were identified. Of these, 29 injuries (54.7%) were initially managed without drainage. Two patients subsequently had chest drains inserted as a result of asymptomatic radiological enlargement of the pneumothorax while inpatients. No patients deteriorated clinically during conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Chest drain insertion for small or moderate sized traumatic pneumothoraces, in the absence of other significant injuries or the need for intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), may be unnecessary.
Authors: Ashraf F Hefny; Fathima T Kunhivalappil; Nikolay Matev; Norman A Avila; Masoud O Bashir; Fikri M Abu-Zidan Journal: Singapore Med J Date: 2017-07-25 Impact factor: 1.858
Authors: Synho Do; Kristen Salvaggio; Supriya Gupta; Mannudeep Kalra; Nabeel U Ali; Homer Pien Journal: Comput Math Methods Med Date: 2012-10-03 Impact factor: 2.238