Hello
Do any list members treat small traumatic pneumothoraces expectantly?
(observe, no chest drain). Graham Johnson and John Knottenbelt's papers
suggest this is safe but what is missing is how long to observe for - 12
hours? The latter's paper from Cape Town suggests chest drains can be
removed as soon as bubbling stops and x ray shows the lung is inflated...
any comments? Clearly an obs ward and 24 hour on site middle grade cover are
prerequisites
Steve Meek
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