Efficacy of Needle Thoracostomy following Iatrogenic Pneumothorax in Critically Ill Patients-Juniper Publishers
Juniper Publishers - Journal of Anesthesia Abstract We report a series of 3 patients who experienced iatrogenic pneumothoraces in the ICU: these were resolved with a single needle thoracostomy and no patients experienced recurrence. The following criteria were used to determine whether needle thoracostomy was appropriate: all pneumothoraces were unilateral and greater than 30% apical in location; patients did not have effusion, hemothorax, purulence, or other drainage; coagulation and platelet parameters in range; no history of surgeries on the hemithorax; and patient consent was obtained prior to the procedure. A needle thoracostomy can be an appropriate, less invasive alternative to chest tube insertion to resolve post-operative pneumothoraces. Keywords: Resolution of iatrogenic pneumothorax; Needle thoracostomy; Critical care medicine Introduction Due to increased invasive monitoring and treatment modalities in critically il...