Expectant management of pneumothorax in intubated COVID-19 positive patients: a case series

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Joshua Etzel¹  Stephen Atkinson¹  Colby Elder²  Douglas Anderson²  Sheina Bawa²  Troy Moritz² 

[1] UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic, 4300 Londonderry Rd, 17109, Harrisburg, PA, USA;UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg, 205 S. Front St. Brady Hall 9th Floor, Room 96, 17104, Harrisburg, PA, USA;

关键词: COVID-19;    Pneumothorax;    Case report;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13019-020-01297-7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is an increasing amount of literature describing the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and its associated complications. Historically, a small pneumothorax has been shown to be successfully treated without chest tube insertion, but this management has yet to be proven in COVID-19 pneumonia patients. In addition, pneumothorax in an intubated patient with high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) provides additional uncertainty with pursuing non-operative management.Case presentationIn this series we report four cases of patients with respiratory distress who tested positive for COVID-19 via nasopharyngeal swab and developed ventilator-induced pneumothoraces which were successfully managed with observation alone.ConclusionsManagement of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia on positive pressure ventilation who develop small stable pneumothoraces can be safely observed without chest tube insertion.

【 授权许可】

CC BY