I've been thinking about the whole pneumothorax problem.
Is it not possible to develop a *small* plastic thoracic cannula
which could be introduced like a Venflon used to treat a tension
pneumothorax, taped to the skin and then attached to a Heimlich
flutter valve and (optionally) a small, light plastic bag to help
measure the air drained.
The chance of a significant 'sucking' chest wound would be minimised
with a small cannula and secretion in non-traumatic pneumothoraces
isn't usually an issue.
So why do we use *huge* chest drains but *tiny* needles for thoracic
aspiration?
Why do we weigh our patients with cumbersome water seals which are
not recommended for aeromedical transfer and cause considerable
discomfort and immobility.
Can't we do it better?
Just a bedtime thought...
--
Helen D. Vecht
[log in to unmask]
Salisbury, Wiltshire,
Great Britain
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