3. Pneumothorax is the presence of air between the
layers of pleura.
It is the most common cause of respiratory
insufficiency following chest trauma.
Pneumothorax can be –
- closed(or simple)
- open
- tension
4.
5. A tension Pneumothorax develops when
‘one way valve’ air leak occurs either
from the lung or through the chest wall.
It is an emergency condition.
6. Patients with trauma tend to have an associated
pneumothorax or tension pneumothorax 20% of the
time.
In cases of severe chest trauma, there is an
associated pneumothorax 50% of the time.
The incidence of traumatic pneumothorax depends
on the size and mechanism of injury.
12. INSPECTION – Decreased chest movements
PALPATION – Mediastinal and trachea shifts to the
Contralateral side.
PERCUSSION – Hyperresonant note.
AUSCULTATION- Absent breath sounds.
13. MANAGEMENT
• TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX Is a CLINICAL
DIAGNOSIS.
• Management should not Wait for Image
confirmation.
• If the patient is hemodynamically unstable,
then immediate needle decompression must
be performed without delay followed by ICD
insertion and connected to underwater seal.
14.
15.
16. 14 -16 gauge needle is inserted
through the chest wall .
In 2nd intercostal space–midclavicular
line
In 5th intercostal space- just anterior
to Mid axillary line
21. Chest tubes are always connected to an
underwater seal bag to prevent air from re –
entering .
Functioning of chest tube is assessed by
movement of column of fluid in the water bag
.
Position of the chest tube checked by taking
chest X-ray
