Publication

Pneumothorax, Chest Drain, and Commercial Air Travel

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 25, 2019

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Citation
Minotti B, Pulver C, Schaub P, Sieber R, von Ow D, Leskow P. Pneumothorax, Chest Drain, and Commercial Air Travel. Annals of emergency medicine 2019; 73:551-552.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Annals of emergency medicine 2019; 73
Publication Date
Apr 25, 2019
Issn Print
0196-0644
Pages
551-552
Publisher
Elsevier
Brief description/objective

We report a case of a previously healthy 54-year-old patient who sustained a small traumatic hemopneumothorax (10% by the Collins formula1) and multiple rib fractures after a biking accident while on vacation. The patient was initially treated conservatively and then had a chest drain with Heimlich valve inserted a week later to allow him to fly home unaccompanied on a long-distance commercial flight. No complications were reported. We discuss the need for chest drain with Heimlich valve in such cases.