Air (pneumothorax), blood (hemothorax), or both (hemopneumothorax) in the pleural space between the lung and chest wall
Tension pneumothorax: Progressive accumulation of air in the pl...
Initial evaluation should include vital sign assessment and auscultation in a quiet setting.
Trauma to thoracic wall
Persistent pain at injury site
Shortness of breath
Locali...
Acute treatment:
Determine if patient is hemodynamically stable because primary job is to stabilize.
Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) of basic life support, especially...
Advise patient that pain likely will be present for at least 6 wk, especially if rib fracture produced the pneumothorax.
May return to conditioning 3 to 4 wk after...
Bintcliffe O, Maskell N. Spontaneous pneumothorax. BMJ. 2014;348:g2928.
Soundappan S, Holland A, Browne G. Sports-related pneumothorax in children. Pediatr Emerg Care. 20...
Return to play: 3 to 6 wk
Air travel: contraindicated until 2 to 3 wk after chest tube removal (only if repeat x-ray shows resolution of pneumothorax)
SCUBA diving: c...
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