|
KMID : 0356019950100020123
|
|
Koean Jounral of Critical Care Medicine
1995 Volume.10 No. 2 p.123 ~ p.128
|
|
|
Contralateral Tension Pneumothorax during Thoracotomy for Spine Surgery in Chest Trauma Patient -A case resport-
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
Contralateral tension pneumothorax during thoracotomy is a rare complication. We observed 23 year-old female who showed profound hypotension with a bradycardia and severe reduction in oxygen saturation followed by cardiac arrest due to
contralateral
tension pneumothorax at the completion of spine surgery. Despite the aggravation of vital signs, we failed in the immediate management resulting from delayed diagnosis and intervention in a life-threatening condition. The signs of a tension
pneumothorax
under anesthesia may not be apparent if contralateral side of the chest is inadvertently open during thoracotomy, which only became apparent after closure of the chest. It would be seen likely that the causes of pneumothorax in this patient were
non-functioning chest tube due to malp0osition or high inspiratory chest tube due to malposition or high inspiratory pressure in contralateral lung, or both.
Tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency and prompt treatments are essential. This patient recovered from life-threatening condition in spite of fixation error.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|