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IntroductionThe current management of open pneumothorax (OPTX) is based on Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) recommendations and consists of the application of a three-way occlusive dressing, followed by intercostal chest drain insertion. Very little is known regarding the spectrum and outcome of this approach, especially in the civilian setting.Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 58 consecutive patients with OPTX over a four-year period managed in a high volume metropolitan trauma service in South Africa.ResultsOf the 58 patients included, 95% (55/58) were male, and the mean age for all patients was 21 years. Ninety-seven percent of all injuries were inflicted by knives and the remaining 3% (2/58) of injuries were inflicted by unknown weapons. 59% of injuries were left sided. In six patients (10%) a protocol violation was present in their management. Five of the six patients (83%) in whom protocol violation occurred developed a life-threatening event (tension PTX) compared to none amongst those where the protocol was followed (p < 0.001). There was no mortality as a direct result of management of OPTX following ATLS recommendations.ConclusionsATLS recommendations for OPTX are safe and effective. Any deviation from this standard practice is associated with avoidable morbidity and potential mortality.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00068-014-0469-5

Type

Journal

European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society

Publication Date

08/2015

Volume

41

Pages

401 - 404

Addresses

Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service, Department of Surgery, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, victorywkong@yahoo.com.

Keywords

Humans, Pneumothorax, Thoracic Injuries, Treatment Outcome, Combined Modality Therapy, Drainage, Injury Severity Score, Registries, Hospital Mortality, Survival Rate, Risk Assessment, Retrospective Studies, Cohort Studies, Follow-Up Studies, Occlusive Dressings, Adult, South Africa, Female, Male, Young Adult, Advanced Trauma Life Support Care