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Bilothorax is a rare condition that can lead to severe infection and death. Most cases present with right-sided pleural effusion and the etiology can be biliary obstruction, infection, or iatrogenic complications. The diagnosis of bilothorax is confirmed by the ratio of pleural fluid to serum bilirubin >1. A 33-year-old Asian female presented with progressive dyspnea from right pleural effusion, which was confirmed to be biloma by pleural fluid to serum bilirubin ratio of 15.9. Imaging showed right-sided subdiaphragmatic nodule, which was subsequently biopsied on laparoscopy revealing hemorrhagic endometriotic lesion. However, there was no obvious diaphragmatic defect connecting pleural and peritoneal cavities. Additionally, no biliary leakage was identified by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The treatment included antibiotics, tube thoracostomy, ERCP with stent, thermal ablation of endometriotic nodules under laparoscopy, and hormonal therapy for endometriosis. Bilothorax is rare case itself but the etiology secondary to endometriosis makes this case particularly unique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening for pneumothorax (PTX) is standard practice after thoracostomy tube removal, with postpull CXR being the gold standard. However, studies have shown that point-of-care thoracic ultrasound (POCTUS) is effective at detecting PTX and may represent a viable alternative. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of POCTUS for evaluation of clinically significant postpull PTX compared with chest x-ray (CXR). We performed a prospective, cohort study at a Level 1 trauma center between April and December 2022 comparing the ability of POCTUS to detect clinically significant postpull PTX compared with CXR. Patients with thoracostomy tube placed for PTX, hemothorax, or hemopneumothorax were included. Clinically insignificant PTX was defined as a small residual or apical PTX without associated respiratory symptoms or need for thoracostomy tube replacement while clinically significant PTX were moderate to large or associated with physiologic change. We included 82 patients, the most common etiology was blunt trauma (n = 57), and the indications for thoracostomy tube placement were: PTX (n = 38), hemothorax (n = 15), and hemopneumothorax (n = 14). One patient required thoracostomy tube replacement for recurrent PTX identified by both ultrasound and X-ray. Thoracic ultrasound had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 95%, positive predictive value of 60%, and negative predictive value of 100% for the detection of clinically significant postpull PTX. The use of POCTUS for the detection of clinically significant PTX after thoracostomy tube removal is a safe and effective alternative to standard CXR. This echoes similar studies and emphasizes the need for further investigation in a multicenter study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionsPatients who sustain chest wall trauma e.g. blunt or penetrating are at increased risk of developing musculoskeletal and pulmonary dysfunction. Physical therapy services are often included during hospital stays to assist with patient outcomes such as lung expansion, increasing oxygenation, pain management, optimization of joint range of motion and early mobility.This protocol describes the proposed systematic review that aims to determine the physical therapy treatment interventions and the effects thereof on clinical outcomes when used in the management of adult patients with intra-pleural abnormalities following chest wall trauma.The research team will conduct an effectiveness systematic review using the PICO approach. A three-step search strategy of seven databases will be undertaken: Pubmed, CINAHIL Plus, The Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar from conception of the databases. No limitations will be placed on language. The inclusion criteria are publications that focus on adults who sustained chest wall trauma, who had a diagnosis of an intra-pleural abnormality and managed with an intra-pleural drain, and who received physical therapy interventions during their stay in an acute care hospital. If participants had diagnoses that limit ambulation, such publications will not be included in the review. Two independent reviewers will do the critical appraisal and data extraction.Results are unknown.This review will contribute to the understanding of physical therapy offered to patients and the clinical outcomes achieved when used in the management of adult patients with intra-pleural abnormalities following chest wall trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The incidence and management outcomes of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) requiring chest tubes are not well-described. This study sought to explore differences in tube thoracostomy rates and subsequent complications between patients with and without COVID-19 ARDS on V-V ECMO. Materials and Methods This study is a single institution, retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 ARDS requiring V-V ECMO. The control cohort consisted of patients who required V-V ECMO for ARDS-related diagnoses from January 2018 to January 2021. The primary outcome was any complication following initial tube thoracostomy placement. Study approval was obtained from the Brooke Army Medical Center Institutional Review Board (C.2017.152d). Results Twenty-five COVID-19 patients and 38 controls were included. Demographic parameters did not differ between the groups. The incidence of pneumothorax was not significantly different between the two groups (44% COVID-19 vs. 22% control, OR 2.8, 95% CI 0.95–7.9, P  = 0.09). Patients with COVID-19 were as likely to receive tube thoracostomy as controls (36% vs. 24%, OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.55–5.7). Complications, however, were more likely to occur in the COVID-19 group (89% vs. 33%, OR 16, 95% CI, 1.6–201, P  = 0.0498). Conclusions Tube thoracostomy placement in COVID-19 patients with ARDS requiring V-V ECMO is common, as are complications following initial placement. Clinicians should anticipate the need for re-intervention in this patient population. Small-bore (14Fr and smaller) pigtail catheters appeared to be safe and efficacious in this setting, but further study on tube thoracostomy management in ECMO patients is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic pneumothorax (PTX) remains a source of significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric trauma patients. Management with tube thoracostomy is routinely dictated by symptoms, use of positive pressure ventilation, or plan for air transport. Many patients transferred to our pediatric trauma center (PTC) require transport at considerable elevation. We sought to characterize the effect of transport at elevation in this population to inform management recommendations. The trauma registry was queried for pediatric patients transferred to our tertiary referral center with traumatic PTX from 2010 to 2022, yielding 412 charts for analysis. Data abstracted included mechanism of injury, mode of transport, size of pneumothorax, chest tube placement, endotracheal intubation, and estimated elevation change during transport. There were 412 patients included for analysis. Most patients had small pneumothoraces that resolved without chest tube placement (388 patients, 94.1%). No patients experienced acute respiratory decompensation in transport. There were four (0.9%) patients with increased PTX on arrival, however, none experienced acute decompensation as a result. Average elevation gain was 2337 feet. There was no association between elevation change and requirement of post-transport chest tube placement. No patients experienced PTX-related complications after discharge. In this large patient series, no patient experienced a meaningful increase in the size of their traumatic PTX during or immediately following transport at elevation to our institution. These findings suggest it is safe to transfer a pediatric trauma patient with a small, hemodynamically insignificant PTX without tube thoracostomy despite considerable changes in elevation during transport. II-III, Retrospective Study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study presents DraiNet, a deep learning model developed to detect pneumothorax and pleural effusion in pediatric patients and aid in assessing the necessity for tube thoracostomy. The primary goal is to utilize DraiNet as a decision support tool to enhance clinical decision-making in the management of these conditions. Methods: DraiNet was trained on a diverse dataset of pediatric CT scans, carefully annotated by experienced surgeons. The model incorporated advanced object detection techniques and underwent evaluation using standard metrics, such as mean Average Precision (mAP), to assess its performance. Results: DraiNet achieved an impressive mAP score of 0.964, demonstrating high accuracy in detecting and precisely localizing abnormalities associated with pneumothorax and pleural effusion. The model's precision and recall further confirmed its ability to effectively predict positive cases. Conclusion: The integration of DraiNet as an AI-driven decision support system marks a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare. By combining deep learning algorithms with clinical expertise, DraiNet provides a valuable tool for non-surgical teams and emergency room doctors, aiding them in making informed decisions about surgical interventions. With its remarkable mAP score of 0.964, DraiNet has the potential to enhance patient outcomes and optimize the management of critical conditions, including pneumothorax and pleural effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air between the parietal and visceral leaves of the pleura, resulting in lung collapse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory functions of these patients when they reach school age and to reveal whether they cause permanent respiratory pathology. Methods: The files of 229 patients who were hospitalised in a neonatal intensive care clinic had received a diagnosis of pneumothorax and had undergone tube thoracostomy were included in a retrospective cohort review. The respiratory functions of participants in the control and patient groups were evaluated using spirometry in a prospective cross-sectional study design. Results: The study found the rates of pneumothorax to be higher in males, term infants and after caesarean delivery, mortality was 31%. Among patients who underwent spirometry, those with a history of pneumothorax had lower forced expiratory volume at timed intervals of 0.5 to 1.0 (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory flow 25–75% (MEF25-75). FEV1/FVC ratio was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients treated for pneumothorax in the neonatal period should be evaluated for obstructive pulmonary diseases during childhood using respiratory function tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of massive pleurisy (MP) is frequently used to emphasize the significance of the amount of pleural effusion. However, there are significant disagreements about it due to the lack of a universal definition for MP. In our study, we sought to elucidate these distinctions. We employed a questionnaire comprised of visual and true/false sections. In the visual section, participants were shown real-time lung radiographs and schematic drawings and asked which ones were MP. On the other hand, suggestions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and consultations for MP were questionnaired. The study was comprised of 150 physicians from four distinct centers. On true/false and radiograph questions, physicians from the same branch exhibited differences of up to 50% (p < 0.05). On the level question, each branch involved reached a consensus (p = 0.003). In questions 3, 4, and 5, which also contained a true–false section, the branches gave varying responses, with the exception of the opinion that tube thoracostomy is unquestionably indicated in MP (p < 0.05). Establishing a common language for MP is crucial for clinician collaboration and appropriate patient management. Our study elucidates the divergences of opinion between branches and highlights the need for a unified definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tube thoracostomy is rarely associated with serious bleeding complications. Although intercostal artery injury is a well-known bleeding complication, other vascular injuries in the chest wall have only rarely been reported. A 58-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis presented to the emergency department with dyspnea. He was diagnosed by chest computed tomography with spontaneous hemopneumothorax, for which he underwent tube thoracostomy. However, bleeding in the chest wall continued, which required chest tube removal and blood transfusion. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and angiography revealed contrast extravasation from the thoracodorsal artery, which confirmed a diagnosis of thoracodorsal artery injury. Because the thoracodorsal artery gives branches to the serratus anterior muscles that are located in the "triangle of safety," chest tube placement in this area is not always safe; it can still cause major bleeding complications from vessels such as the thoracodorsal artery. Hence, close monitoring for bleeding is needed after tube thoracostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Conditions that appear four weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2 are accepted as “post COVID”. Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is one of these late COVID consequences. Our aim is to present a series of cases with this post COVID complication. Case series. We present four patients with post COVID expression of spontaneous pneumothorax. These patients were non-smokers; never ventilated and had no underlying pre-existing lung diseases and they were treated and recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia in an outpatient setting. Tube thoracostomy, under video-assisted control in three of the patients, was performed as a management of pneumothorax. Conclusion. With these case series, we highlight SP as an expression of long-term COVID-19 morbidity. The effectiveness of thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and management of such type of secondary late COVID-19 spontaneous pneumothorax was demonstrated.

Background: Empyema thoracis is a condition resulting in the accumulation of purulent fluid in the pleural cavity. It is a common source of illness among young children and is the most common sequela of bacterial pneumonia. Aims and Objectives: This study was to determine the clinico-microbiological profile, causative agents, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates of the study population. Materials and Methods: Prospective observational study was done in the Department of Microbiology, S. C. B. M. C. H., Cuttack. The study group comprised a total of 105 cases of empyema thoracis between the age group of 0–14 years, diagnosed by aspiration of pus from the pleural space. Complete histories of cases in detail were noted. Results: A total of 41% of patients were in the age group of 5–9 years with M: F ratio of 1.1:1. Maximum cases 36 (34.3%) were seen in the spring season. Fever, cough, and breathlessness were the most common complaints. Bronchopneumonia 56 (53.3%), impetigo, and skin lesions 29 (27.6%) were the major predisposing factors. Right-side empyema 71 (67.6%) was more common than the left side 34 (32.4%). Culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus as the most common etiologic agent 26 (36.1%), of which 30.8% were methicillin-resistant S. aureus, followed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex 13 (18.1%). Finally, 103 (98.2%) empyema cases were recovered by antibiotics and tube thoracostomy. Conclusion: Empyema thoracis is more prevalent in the lower socioeconomic population which can be prevented by an early diagnosis of pneumonia. Effective methods to treat empyema thoracis in children include the administration of proper antibiotics and tube thoracostomy in resource-poor settings.

PurposeWhole-body computed tomography (CT) for blunt trauma patients is common. Chest CT (CCT) identifies "occult" pneumo- (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX) not seen on chest radiograph (CXR), one-third of whom get chest tubes, while CXR identifies "non-occult" PTX/HTX. To assess chest tube value for occult injury vs. expectant management, we compared output, duration, and length of stay (LOS) for chest tubes placed for occult vs. non-occult (CXR-visible) injury.MethodsWe compared chest tube output and duration, and patient length of stay for occult vs. non-occult PTX/HTX. This was a retrospective analysis of 5451 consecutive Level I blunt trauma patients, from 2010 to 2013.ResultsOf these blunt trauma patients, 402 patients (7.4%) had PTX, HTX or both, and both CXR and CCT. One third (n = 136, 33.8%) had chest tubes placed in 163 hemithoraces (27 bilateral). Non-occult chest tube output for all patients was 1558 ± 1919 cc (n = 54), similar to occult at 1123 ± 1076 cc (n = 109, p = 0.126). Outputs were similar for HTX-only patients, with non-occult (n = 34) at 1917 ± 2130 cc, vs. occult (n = 54) at 1449 ± 1131 cc (p = 0.24). Chest tube duration for all patients was 6.3 ± 4.9 days for non-occult vs. 5.0 ± 3.3 for occult (p = 0.096). LOS was similar between all occult injury patients (n = 46) and non-occult (n = 90, 17.0 ± 15.8 vs. 13.7 ± 11.9 days, p = 0.23).ConclusionMature clinical judgment may dictate which patients need chest tubes and explain the similarity between groups.

Background: Occult pneumothorax (OPTX) is found in up to 15% of chest injuries. There is a history of conservative management of this pathology (only observation), although its practice continues to be discussed, especially in penetrating trauma. The objective of this paper is to describe our experience in the conservative management of OPTX. Materials and Method: Retrospective cohort study conducted over a 3-year period at a level I Trauma Center. Patients with thoracic trauma (blunt or penetrating) with OPTX were included. They were divided into two groups (preserved or drained) comparing their evolution. Results: Over a 3-year period 679 patients were admitted with chest trauma. From 93 patients with OPTX, 74 (80%) were initially preserved and 19 (20%) drained. Two patients (3%) presented pneumothorax progression in the follow-up imaging. There were no complications related to the absence of pleural drainage. Complications and hospital stay were lower in the conservative management group. Conclusion: Patients with OPTX due to chest trauma (blunt or penetrating), without requiring assisted ventilation and hemodynamically stable, can be safely conservative managed with close monitoring for 24 hours, with a lower rate of complications and hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Conditions that appear four weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2 are accepted as "post COVID". Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is one of these late COVID consequences. Our aim is to present a series of cases with this post COVID complication. Case series. We present four patients with post COVID expression of spontaneous pneumothorax. These patients were non-smokers; never ventilated and had no underlying pre-existing lung diseases and they were treated and recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia in an outpatient setting. Tube thoracostomy, under video-assisted control in three of the patients, was performed as a management of pneumothorax. Conclusion. With these case series, we highlight SP as an expression of long-term COVID-19 morbidity. The effectiveness of thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and management of such type of secondary late COVID-19 spontaneous pneumothorax was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence, management, and outcome of occult pneumothorax (OPTX) in patients with blunt chest trauma (BCT). Settings and design A retrospective observational study was performed. Patients and methods Over 9 years, cases with BCT were identified retrospectively from the database between 2012 and 2021. Data were evaluated and compared based on the first management (conservative vs. intercostal tube). Results Of the 2113 cases, 51 (2.4%) admitted with BCT during the study period were found to have OPTX. The mean age of patients was 37 ± 6.58 years, and there was a male predominance (78.43%). Intercostal tube intervention was done in 29 (53.8%) cases, and conservative management was done in 22 (43.13%) cases. Cases that needed tube thoracostomy had significantly higher rates of lung and chest contusions and high Abbreviated Injury Scale compared with those who were treated conservatively. However, pneumonia, rib fracture, hospital length of stay, and ventilatory days were insignificantly different between both groups. Overall mortality was 9.8%. Conclusions In cases with BCT that did not require major interventions or needed to be mechanically ventilated, their OPTX can be safely managed conservatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is most common congenital lung anomaly of lower respiratory tract accounting for approximately 25% of all congenital pulmonary malformations. It is usually unilateral and involves single lobe of lung. It is usually diagnosed prenatally; rarely found in children and adults. We report a rare case of 14‑year‑old male presented with sudden onset breathlessness secondary to right sided pneumothorax associated with right lower lobe cystic lesion; successfully managed with multidisciplinary approach involving tube thoracostomy and non‑anatomical wedge resection of right lower lobe cystic lesion (using VATS). Adults diagnosed with CPAM usually present with breathlessness, fever, recurrent pulmonary infection, pneumothorax, and haemoptysis. For definitive treatment of symptomatic CPAM cases, surgical resection at the time of diagnosis is recommended in view of possible risk of malignant transformation and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Considering the mild but definitive risk of malignancy, it is advocated to closely monitor the individuals with CPAM even after the surgical resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Empyema thoracis is a condition resulting in the accumulation of purulent fluid in the pleural cavity. It is a common source of illness among young children and is the most common sequela of bacterial pneumonia. Aims and Objectives: This study was to determine the clinico-microbiological profile, causative agents, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates of the study population. Materials and Methods: Prospective observational study was done in the Department of Microbiology, S. C. B. M. C. H., Cuttack. The study group comprised a total of 105 cases of empyema thoracis between the age group of 0-14 years, diagnosed by aspiration of pus from the pleural space. Complete histories of cases in detail were noted. Results: A total of 41% of patients were in the age group of 5-9 years with M: F ratio of 1.1:1. Maximum cases 36 (34.3%) were seen in the spring season. Fever, cough, and breathlessness were the most common complaints. Bronchopneumonia 56 (53.3%), impetigo, and skin lesions 29 (27.6%) were the major predisposing factors. Right-side empyema 71 (67.6%) was more common than the left side 34 (32.4%). Culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus as the most common etiologic agent 26 (36.1%), of which 30.8% were methicillin-resistant S. aureus, followed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex 13 (18.1%). Finally, 103 (98.2%) empyema cases were recovered by antibiotics and tube thoracostomy. Conclusion: Empyema thoracis is more prevalent in the lower socioeconomic population which can be prevented by an early diagnosis of pneumonia. Effective methods to treat empyema thoracis in children include the administration of proper antibiotics and tube thoracostomy in resource-poor settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the incidence, management, and outcome of occult pneumothorax (OPTX) in patients with blunt chest trauma (BCT). Settings and design A retrospective observational study was performed. Patients and methods Over 9 years, cases with BCT were identified retrospectively from the database between 2012 and 2021. Data were evaluated and compared based on the first management (conservative vs. intercostal tube). Results Of the 2113 cases, 51 (2.4%) admitted with BCT during the study period were found to have OPTX. The mean age of patients was 37 ± 6.58 years, and there was a male predominance (78.43%). Intercostal tube intervention was done in 29 (53.8%) cases, and conservative management was done in 22 (43.13%) cases. Cases that needed tube thoracostomy had significantly higher rates of lung and chest contusions and high Abbreviated Injury Scale compared with those who were treated conservatively. However, pneumonia, rib fracture, hospital length of stay, and ventilatory days were insignificantly different between both groups. Overall mortality was 9.8%. Conclusions In cases with BCT that did not require major interventions or needed to be mechanically ventilated, their OPTX can be safely managed conservatively.

Pneumothorax is a frequently encountered entity in pulmonary practice and can be primary or secondary. Traumatic and iatrogenic causes also account for a minority of cases presenting to the chest physician. The most common therapeutic intervention done is a tube thoracostomy in all but the mildest of cases. Pneumothorax ex vacuo is a distinctly uncommon entity that differs considerably from the rest of the pneumothorax cases in its pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, radiological findings, and management. Pneumothorax in this entity results from the sucking in of air into the pleural space caused by an exaggerated negative intrapleural pressure, which is most frequently secondary to acute lobar collapse. Symptoms attributable to pneumothorax per se are distinctly mild and the vital aspect of treatment is to relieve the bronchial obstruction. Tube thoracostomy fails to relieve the pneumothorax in such cases and should be avoided. We share three cases of pneumothorax ex vacuo encountered in our institution and alert clinicians of the presentation, radiology, and management of this uncommon condition.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is most common congenital lung anomaly of lower respiratory tract accounting for approximately 25% of all congenital pulmonary malformations. It is usually unilateral and involves single lobe of lung. It is usually diagnosed prenatally; rarely found in children and adults. We report a rare case of 14-year-old male presented with sudden onset breathlessness secondary to right sided pneumothorax associated with right lower lobe cystic lesion; successfully managed with multidisciplinary approach involving tube thoracostomy and non-anatomical wedge resection of right lower lobe cystic lesion (using VATS). Adults diagnosed with CPAM usually present with breathlessness, fever, recurrent pulmonary infection, pneumothorax, and haemoptysis. For definitive treatment of symptomatic CPAM cases, surgical resection at the time of diagnosis is recommended in view of possible risk of malignant transformation and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Considering the mild but definitive risk of malignancy, it is advocated to closely monitor the individuals with CPAM even after the surgical resection.

Background: Traumatic pneumothorax (PTX) can be deadly, and rapid diagnosis is vital. Ultrasound (US) is rapidly gaining acceptance as an accurate bedside diagnostic tool. While making the diagnosis is important, not all PTX require tube thoracostomy. Our goal was to evaluate the predictive ability of ultrasound in identifying clinically significant PTX. Methods: Over 13 months, data was collected on patients undergoing evaluation for trauma. Patients were included if they underwent US, radiograph chest X-ray (CXR), and computed tomography of the chest. Predictive ability of ultrasound was evaluated in identifying clinically significant PTX. Results: Ninety-four patients received evaluation by all 3 modalities. Of these, 32% were diagnosed with PTX. Sixteen patients (17%) had a clinically significant PTX. Chest X-ray and US both had a sensitivity of 75%; however, US had more than twice as many false positives, resulting in a much lower positive predictive value (63% vs 80%). Conclusions: While US can reliably rule out PTX, it may be overly sensitive diagnosing clinically significant PTX. Ultrasound alone should not be used in determining the need for tube thoracostomy as many patients will not require acute intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic pneumothorax management has evolved to include the use of smaller caliber tube thoracostomy and even observation alone. Data is limited comparing tube thoracostomy to observation for small traumatic pneumothoraces. We aimed to investigate whether observing patients with a small traumatic pneumothorax on initial chest radiograph (CXR) is associated with improved outcomes compared to tube thoracostomy. We retrospectively reviewed trauma patients at our level 1 trauma center from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2020. We included those with a pneumothorax size <30 mm as measured from apex to cupola on initial CXR. We excluded patients with injury severity score ≥ 25, operative requirements, hemothorax, bilateral pneumothoraces, and intensive care unit admission. Patients were grouped by management strategy (observation vs tube thoracostomy). Our primary outcome was length of stay with secondary outcomes of pulmonary infection, failed trial of observation, readmission, and mortality. Results are listed as mean ± standard error of the mean. Of patients who met criteria, 39 were in the observation group, and 34 were in the tube thoracostomy group. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. Average pneumothorax size on CXR was 18 ± 1.0 mm in the observation group and 18 ± 0.84 mm in the tube thoracostomy group (p > 0.99). Average pneumothorax sizes on computed tomography were 25 ± 2.1 and 37 ± 3.9 mm in the observation and tube thoracostomy groups, respectively (p = 0.01). Length of stay in the observation group was significantly shorter than the tube thoracostomy group (3.6 ± 0.33 vs 5.8 ± 0.81 days, p < 0.01). While pneumothorax size on computed tomography was associated with tube thoracostomy, only tube thoracostomy correlated with length of stay on multivariable analysis; pneumothorax size on CXR and computed tomography did not. There were no deaths or readmissions in either cohort. One patient in the observation group required tube thoracostomy after 18 h for worsening subcutaneous emphysema, and one patient in the tube thoracostomy group developed an empyema. Select patients with small traumatic pneumothoraces on initial chest radiograph who were treated with observation experienced an average length of stay over two days shorter than those treated with tube thoracostomy. Outcomes were otherwise similar between the two groups suggesting that an observation-first strategy may be a superior treatment approach for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tube thoracostomy is a common procedure for which competency is expected of all trauma providers, both surgical and nonsurgical. Although surgery residents have fewer complications than other resident specialties, complications relating to position and insertion are reported. We hypothesized the use of our novel chest tube placement device will improve chest tube placement efficiency while maintaining accuracy compared to the open Kelly clamp technique across multiple specialties. A swine lab was conducted through an approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee device testing protocol. After a preprocedure, tutorial participants placed chest tubes with the device and Kelly clamps through predetermined incision sites. Placement positioning was determined by a postplacement chest X-ray. One way analysis of variance was used for intratechnique comparisons. Time to placement was compared using paired t -test; P- values of <0.05 were considered significant. Intrathoracic device placement occurred with 94.4% (N = 68) of placements compared to 93.1% (N = 67) of Kelly clamp placements (P = 0.73). The device-placed chest tubes were apically positioned 94.4% (N = 68) compared to 66.7% (N = 48) (P < 0.01) of Kelly clamp-placed chest tubes. Novel device use chest tube placement was significantly faster with a mean time of 39.3 (±27.7) s compared to 61.5 (±38.6) s for the Kelly clamp (P < 0.01). In this proof of concept study, our chest tube placement device improved efficiency and accuracy in chest tube placement when compared to the open Kelly clamp technique. This finding was consistent across thoracic trauma providers, including general surgery residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bedside ultrasound may safely replace chest radiograph after trauma tube thoracostomy removal. • Chest ultrasound was safely and accurately performed by surgical interns with minimal training. • Using chest ultrasound, rather than x-ray, after thoracostomy removal may save healthcare dollars. A chest radiograph (CXR) is routinely obtained in trauma patients following tube thoracostomy (TT) removal to assess for residual pneumothorax (PTX). New literature supports the deference of a radiograph after routine removal procedure. However, many surgeons have hesitated to adopt this practice due to concern for patient welfare and medicolegal implications. Ultrasound (US) is a portable imaging modality which may be performed rapidly, without radiation exposure, and at minimal cost. We hypothesized that transitioning from CXR to US following TT removal in trauma patients would prove safe and provide superior detection of residual PTX. A practice management guideline was established calling for the performance of a CXR and bedside US 2 h after TT removal in all adult trauma patients diagnosed with PTX at a level 1 trauma center. Surgical interns completed a 30-minute, US training course utilizing a handheld US device. US findings were interpreted and documented by the surgical interns. CXRs were interpreted by staff radiologists blinded to US findings. Data was retrospectively collected and analyzed. Eighty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Thirteen (15%) post removal PTX were identified on both US and CXR. An additional 11 (12%) PTX were identified on CXR, and 5 (6%) were identified via US, for a total of 29 PTX (33%). One patient required re-intervention; the recurrent PTX was detected by both US and CXR. For all patients, using CXR as the standard, US displayed a sensitivity of 54.2%, specificity of 92.3%, negative predictive value of 84.5%, and positive predictive value of 72.2%. The cost of care for the study cohort may have been reduced over $9,000 should US alone have been employed. Bedside US may be an acceptable alternative to CXR to assess for recurrent PTX following trauma TT removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeWhole-body computed tomography (CT) for blunt trauma patients is common. Chest CT (CCT) identifies "occult" pneumo- (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX) not seen on chest radiograph (CXR), one-third of whom get chest tubes, while CXR identifies "non-occult" PTX/HTX. To assess chest tube value for occult injury vs. expectant management, we compared output, duration, and length of stay (LOS) for chest tubes placed for occult vs. non-occult (CXR-visible) injury.MethodsWe compared chest tube output and duration, and patient length of stay for occult vs. non-occult PTX/HTX. This was a retrospective analysis of 5451 consecutive Level I blunt trauma patients, from 2010 to 2013.ResultsOf these blunt trauma patients, 402 patients (7.4%) had PTX, HTX or both, and both CXR and CCT. One third (n = 136, 33.8%) had chest tubes placed in 163 hemithoraces (27 bilateral). Non-occult chest tube output for all patients was 1558 ± 1919 cc (n = 54), similar to occult at 1123 ± 1076 cc (n = 109, p = 0.126). Outputs were similar for HTX-only patients, with non-occult (n = 34) at 1917 ± 2130 cc, vs. occult (n = 54) at 1449 ± 1131 cc (p = 0.24). Chest tube duration for all patients was 6.3 ± 4.9 days for non-occult vs. 5.0 ± 3.3 for occult (p = 0.096). LOS was similar between all occult injury patients (n = 46) and non-occult (n = 90, 17.0 ± 15.8 vs. 13.7 ± 11.9 days, p = 0.23).ConclusionMature clinical judgment may dictate which patients need chest tubes and explain the similarity between groups.

Background: Numerous complications requiring tube thoracostomy have been reported among critically ill patients with COVID-19; however, there has been a lack of evidence regarding outcomes following chest tube placement. Methods: We developed a retrospective observational cohort of all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed COVID-19 to describe the incidence of tube thoracostomy and factors associated with mortality following chest tube placement. Results: In total, 1705 patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients were admitted to our ICUs from March 7, 2020, to March 1, 2021, with 69 out of 1705 patients (4.0%) receiving 130 chest tubes. Of these, 89 out of 130 (68%) chest tubes were indicated for pneumothorax. Patients receiving tube thoracostomy were much less likely to be alive 90 days post-ICU admission (52% vs 69%; P

Occurring among the most common findings in cases of metastatic disease, malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is identified in up to 15% of patients with cancer. This research was undertaken to provide an overview of advances in the treatment of MPE in recent years. A total of 186 patients with MPE were evaluated retrospectively after having consulted or been hospitalized in our hospital between March 2019 and December 2021. The evaluated data included gender, age, cause of effusion, treatment method, length of hospital stay, and complications. Lung cancer was in first place, affecting 64 of the patients treated for MPE. In this cohort, 142 patients had received a cytological diagnosis. These patients underwent pleurodesis with talc after tube thoracostomy. A definitive diagnosis could not be determined from the cytological samples of 44 patients. VATS was performed diagnostically and then pleurodesis was performed with postoperative talc. The complication rate was 13%. The mortality rate was 5%. Recurrence was observed in 37 patients during the 2-month follow-up period after the procedure. The optimal treatment of MPE remains uncertain, and treatment decisions require the cooperation of many medical departments. Nowadays, less invasive approaches are preferred in managing cases of pleural effusion. This treatment approach protects patients from the risks of more invasive interventions and reduces treatment costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemsirelik Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi is the property of Dokuz Eylul Universitesi Hemsirelik Fakultesi Elektronik Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Osmangazi Journal of Medicine / Osmangazi Tip Dergisi is the property of Eskisehir Osmangazi University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Tube thoracostomy (TT) is a simple and a life-saving procedure; nevertheless, it carries morbidity, even after its removal. Currently, TT is managed and removed by chest X-ray (CXR) evaluation. There are limitations and these are directly linked to complications. The use of thoracic ultrasound (US) has already been established in the diagnosis of pneumothorax (PTX) and hemothorax (HTX); its use, in substitution of CXR can lead to improvement in care. Our aim is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of US in the management of TT. Methods: Prospective and randomized study with patients requiring TT. They were divided in groups according to their thoracic injuries (PTX and HTX) and randomized into two groups according to TT management: US and CXR. Data collected included gender, age, mechanism of injury, days to TT removal, complications after TT removal and presence of mechanical ventilation. Results: Sixty-one patients were randomized, of which 68.8% were male. The most frequent diagnosis was PTX, present in 37 cases. Median time for TT removal was 2.5 days in the US group and 4.9 in the control group (p = 0.009). The complication rate was 6.6%, with no morbidity in the US group. TT removal in patients with mechanical ventilation did not increase the incidence of complications. Conclusions: The use of US in the management is efficient and safe. It allows early TT removal regardless the cause of the thoracic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: New care paradigms are required to enable remote life-saving interventions (RLSIs) in extreme environments such as disaster settings. Informatics may assist through just-in-time expert remote-telementoring (RTM) or video-modelling (VM). Currently, RTM relies on real-time communication that may not be reliable in some locations, especially if communications fail. Neither technique has been extensively developed however, and both may be required to be performed by inexperienced providers to save lives. A pilot comparison was thus conducted. Methods: Procedure-naïve Search-and-Rescue Technicians (SAR-Techs) performed a tube-thoracostomy (TT) on a surgical simulator, randomly allocated to RTM or VM. The VM group watched a pre-prepared video illustrating TT immediately prior, while the RTM group were remotely guided by an expert in real-time. Standard outcomes included success, safety, and tube-security for the TT procedure. Results: There were no differences in experience between the groups. Of the 13 SAR-Techs randomized to VM, 12/13 (92%) placed the TT successfully, safely, and secured it properly, while 100% (11/11) of the TT placed by the RTM group were successful, safe, and secure. Statistically, there was no difference (P = 1.000) between RTM or VM in safety, success, or tube security. However, with VM, one subject cut himself, one did not puncture the pleura, and one had barely adequate placement. There were no such issues in the mentored group. Total time was significantly faster using RTM (P =.02). However, if time-to-watch was discounted, VM was quicker (P =.000). Conclusions: Random evaluation revealed both paradigms have attributes. If VM can be utilized during "travel-time," it is quicker but without facilitating "trouble shooting." On the other hand, RTM had no errors in TT placement and facilitated guidance and remediation by the mentor, presumably avoiding failure, increasing safety, and potentially providing psychological support. Ultimately, both techniques appear to have merit and may be complementary, justifying continued research into the human-factors of performing RLSIs in extreme environments that are likely needed in natural and man-made disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of routine chest x-rays (CXR) following thoracostomy tube (TT) removal is highly variable and its utility is debated. We hypothesize that routine post-pull chest x-ray (PP-CXR) findings following TT removal in pediatric trauma would not guide the decision for TT reinsertion. Patients ≤ 18 y who were not mechanically ventilated and undergoing final TT removal for a traumatic hemothorax (HTX) and/or pneumothorax (PTX) at a level I pediatric trauma center from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes of interest were rate of PP-CXR and TT reinsertion rate following PP-CXR. Clinical predictors for worsened findings on PP-CXR were also assessed. Fifty-nine patients were included. A CXR after TT removal was performed in 57 patients (97%), with 28% demonstrating worsened CXR findings compared to the prior film. Except for higher ISS (p = 0.033), there were no demographic or clinical predictors for worsened CXR findings. However, they were more likely to have additional films following the TT removal (p = 0.008) than those with stable or improved PP-CXR findings. One (1.8%) asymptomatic child with worsened PP-CXR findings had TT reinsertion based purely on their worsened PP-CXR findings. The vast majority of PP-CXR did not guide TT reinsertion after pediatric thoracic trauma. Treatment algorithms may aid to reduce variability and potentially unnecessary routine films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia; it affects both intubated and non-intubated patients. The pathogenesis includes barotrauma and pneumatocele formation. In the following article, we present case series of 18 patients with COVID-19 associated pneumothorax - a detailed demographic and clinical analysis were performed. The study revealed that men were more affected than women, especially above the age of 55 years; whilst, the distribution of intubated patients and those with spontaneous breathing were equal. Importantly, tube thoracostomy was the preferred method of treatment. The lethal outcome was observed in all patients on mechanical ventilation, due to the severe course of the underlying disease. The occurrence of pneumothorax in patients with COVID-19 is associated with poorer outcome of the disease, especially in those placed on mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The presence of a chest tube is a factor significantly associated with pain and pain posttube thoracostomy that negatively affects sleep quality (SQ). Aim: To determine the relationship between the pain severity and SQ of patients who underwent the tube thoracostomy (TT). Methods: This was a descriptive and cross‐sectional survey conducted from May 1, 2018, to December 30, 2018, in the thoracic surgery department of Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. Data were collected using a questionnaire form, a Numerical Rating Scale to determine pain severity, and the Richard–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to assess SQ. Results: The study was carried out with 102 patients who underwent the TT. The mean age of the participants were 48.94 years. The mean scores for the scale items indicated that during the procedure and on the first day of post‐TT, the pain severity of the patients was very high, their SQ was low. Pain level decreased gradually in the following days, and the SQ increased. There was a positive, strong correlation between the post‐TT first day pain and first night SQ (r = 0.380, p = 0.000), second day pain and second night SQ (r = −0.537, p = 0.000), and third day pain and third night SQ (r = −0.507, p = 0.000). Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that the pain severity of post‐TT significantly affect the quality of the patients' night sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]