Procedure

Simple Needle Aspiration of Pneumothorax

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Simple Needle Aspiration of Pneumothorax

  • See Also
  1. Spontaneous Pneumothorax
  2. Small Calibre Chest Tube (Heimlich Valve, Pigtail Chest Catheter)
  3. Pneumothorax
  4. Needle Decompression of Thorax
  5. Chest Tube
  • Indications
  1. Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
  2. May be used in Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (but lower efficacy)
  • Contraindications
  1. Hemodynamically Unstable Patient
  2. Large Pneumothorax
  3. Chest Tube otherwise indicated
  • Technique
  1. Similar technique as with Small Calibre Chest Tube (Heimlich Valve, Pigtail Chest Catheter)
  2. Insert 16 to 18 gauge catheter with 3-way stop cock into the second intercostal space mid-clavicular line
  3. Remove catheter after full evacuation of air
  • Protocol
  • Following procedure
  1. See Spontaneous Pneumothorax
  • Efficacy
  1. Effective in 58% to 80% of cases
  2. No increased recurrence rate at one year
  3. Decreased admission rates, shortened length of hospital stays and faster return to work
  • References
  1. Tranchell (2013) Crit Dec Emerg Med 27(7): 11-8
  2. Zehtabchi (2008) Ann Emerg Med 51(1): 91-100 [PubMed]