Objective: A cadaver-based study was carried out in order to describe the pulmonary drainage surgical technique, to determine whether the site for the insertion of the chest tube is appropriate and safe, and to determine the anatomical relationship of the chest tube with the chest wall, lungs, large blood vessels, and mediastinum. Methods: Between May and November of 2011, 30 cadavers of both g...

The histories of 243 adults with cystic fibrosis were reviewed; 46 had experienced one or more spontaneous pneumothoraces (18.9%), and seven had died of this complication. There was a high incidence of recurrence on the same side after conservative management (50%) or intercostal drainage (55.2%). Prolonged intercostal drainage was associated with a high mortality. One-third of patients require...

OBJECTIVE A cadaver-based study was carried out in order to describe the pulmonary drainage surgical technique, to determine whether the site for the insertion of the chest tube is appropriate and safe, and to determine the anatomical relationship of the chest tube with the chest wall, lungs, large blood vessels, and mediastinum. METHODS Between May and November of 2011, 30 cadavers of both g...

BACKGROUND Pneumothorax is a not uncommon complication of advanced HIV infection, and may prove difficult to manage in view of its recalcitrant and recurrent nature. In this group where immunosuppression and reduced life expectancy are a feature, standard protocols are often abandoned in favour of a more conservative approach. This is often unsuccessful. METHODS Patients attending the Departm...

A 23-year-old man fell out of his car and was hit by another passing car. He was unconscious from head injuries but was breathing satisfactorily. Surgical emphysema and bruising were present over his upper chest and neck. He vomited once and the vomit was bloodstained. A chest radiograph showed gross surgical emphysema, shallow bilateral pneumothoraces, and multiple right-sided rib fractures. W...

STUDY OBJECTIVES Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) impairs postoperative pulmonary function. We studied the changes in pulmonary function and subjective pain relative to the site of chest tube insertion. DESIGN Thirty patients undergoing CABG surgery using the LIMA were randomized into two groups. Group A (n = 15) received a left chest t...

Interfascial plane block of anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves, known as pecto-intercostal fascial plane block (PIFB) and serratus--intercostal plane block (SIFB), is an anesthetic procedure for ribcage anesthesia not previously reported in the setting of critical care. A similar anesthetic technique has proven adequate pain control during and after abdominal and brea...

Intercostal artery laceration is an unusual complication following thoracentesis, and has been reported only in elderly patients. We report a case of a 78-year-old man who developed a massive hemothorax following thoracentesis. Post-thoracentesis radiograph revealed a substantial increase in pleural fluid, and emergency chest tube insertion identified the hemothorax. He underwent right thoracot...

A 65-year-old female patient was brought to our emergency department (ED) with alleged history of road traffic collision (RTC). The patient had respiratory distress on arrival and hence she was immediately intubated and ventilated. Blood pressure and peripheral pulses were not measurable; however the central pulses were present. Aggressive fluid resuscitation was started. Primary assessment rev...