Tension pneumothorax in the PACU

Authors

Jeremiah Fowler, Corewell Health Resident
Dominique Donatelli, Corewell Health Resident
Patrick Stafford, Corewell Health

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-21-2024

Abstract

Newfound shortness of breath in the PACU can have many causes and is certainly a reason for concern. In our case, a patient presented in the PACU with shortness of breath after left sided VATS. Upon examination, the patient had no breath sounds on the right. Stat chest x-ray revealed right sided pneumothorax, thought to be secondary to positive pressure ventilation. The surgery team placed a right sided chest tube and the patient had improvement in symptoms. In this presentation we will review the differential for shortness of breath in the PACU, as well as diagnosis and treatment for pneumothorax.

Comments

American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, October 18-22, 2024, Philadelphia, PA

Recommended Citation

Fowler J, Donatelli D, Stafford P. Tension pneumothorax in the PACU. Presented at: American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting; 2024 Oct 21; Philadelphia, PA. Available from: https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/20183/presentation/8244