RT Book, Section
A1 Gottlieb, Michael
A2 Reichman, Eric F.
SR Print(0)
ID 1159797055
T1 Needle Thoracostomy
T2 Reichman's Emergency Medicine Procedures, 3e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259861925
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1159797055
RD 2024/04/25
AB A  tension  pneumothorax  is  a  unilateral  progressive  collection  of  air  in  the  pleural  space  (Figures  50-1  and  50-2).  If  not  treated,  it  results  in  increasing  intrapleural  pressures,  shifting  of  intrathoracic  structures,  hypoxemia,  and  death.  It  occurs  from  a  one-way  air  leak  into  the  pleural  cavity  from  the  airway  conduits,  the  lung,  or  the  thoracic  wall.  The  air  leak  causes  air  to  enter  the  pleural  cavity  and  become  trapped,  without  a  method  of  egress.  Rapid  decompression  of  the  tension  pneumothorax  with  a  catheter-over-the-needle  is  known  as  a  needle  thoracostomy  and  is  lifesaving.