Results of conservative treatment in patients with occult pneumothorax

Sandra Montmany Vioque, Pere Rebasa, Salvador Navarro Soto, Heura Llaquet Bayo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

© 2014 AEC. Introduction: An occult pneumothorax is found in 2-15% trauma patients. Observation (without tube thoracostomy) in these patients presents still some controversies in the clinical practice. The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and the adverse effects when observation is performed. Methods: A retrospective observational study was undertaken in our center (university hospital level II). Data was obtained from a database with prospective registration. A total of 1087 trauma patients admitted in the intensive care unit from 2006 to 2013 were included. Results: In this period, 126 patients with occult pneumothorax were identified, 73 patients (58%) underwent immediate tube thoracostomy and 53 patients (42%) were observed. Nine patients (12%) failed observation and required tube thoracostomy for pneumothorax progression or hemothorax. No patient developed a tension pneumothorax or experienced another adverse event related to the absence of tube thoracostomy. Of the observed patients 16 were under positive pressure ventilation, in this group 3 patients (19%) failed observation. There were no differences in mortality, hospital length of stay or intensive care length of stay between the observed and non-observed group. Conclusion: Observation is a safe treatment in occult pneumothorax, even in pressure positive ventilated patients.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)232-236
JournalCirugia Espanola
Volume94
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

Keywords

  • Tube thoracostomy
  • Multiple trauma
  • Tomography
  • Positive-pressure ventilation
  • Occult pneumothorax
  • Radiography thoracic

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