 |
 |
I have used this method on a number of occasions, I think after a posting by Matthew Cooke to this site. The patients did not like it. They generally had tocough very deeply or almost Valsalva to expel air. I think you are also on very dodgy ground suggesting you can equate size of pneumothorax and number of coughs needed to expel all the air. Air bubbling or coughing after the procedure could merely mean that you have not completely treated the pneumo.
Anyone else have experience of the method?
Phil Davies
Cheltenham
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 21 March 2001 09:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: chest drains
I can recommend a method for quick, easy "aspiration" of a pneumothorax, learned
from Ayman Jundi, Consultant in A&E here in Preston.
Insert the cannula with 3-way tap, syringe attached to the in-line port, and
tubing to underwater seal to the side port. Confirm placement by aspiration
of air. Then get the patient to cough.....depending on the size of the pneumothorax
a guestimate of the number of vital capacity breaths/coughs needed to expel
the pleural air can be made. If air bubbling on coughing persists after this
you know a broncopleural fistula is present and a drain is needed.
Very quick and simple, and because that laborious task of aspirating air, turning
tap, expeling air repeatedly is not needed, less chance of dislodging the cannula
or kinking.
Marten Howes,
Preston
http://www.doctors.net.uk by doctors, for doctors
*** This message has been checked, by EGNHST, no virus found ***
This message may contain privileged or confidential information.
If you receive this message in error please return it to the sender and delete all copies - thankyou.