Pete E
06-04-2010, 14:32
Hi Gents,
During my 72 hours in new member quarantine , I used the time to do some reading/research on previous threads concerning Sucking Chest Wounds and Pneumothorax.
First I should say that the little medic training I had was in the British equivalent of the NG, and that was over 20 years ago, so please go easy on me!
As I undertsand it, a sucking chest wound results in a collapsed lung on the injured side and this would be termed a "simple pneumothorax"??
Although the pt may be short of breath, this type of pneumothorax doesn't require any invasive procedures and is usually treated by sealing the holes either completely, or with a "vented seal" either improvised or using something like an ACS??
However in a previous thread here (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18532&highlight=valve&page=3) Swatsurgeon writes:
"IF and when a patient becomes symptomatic (non-intubated pt.), time for a 3 sided dressing/ACS, etc. All patients with positive pressure being applied via ETT or BVM, don't need one. A dressing somewhat reduces the future contamination (above and beyond what has already occured). The fact is that you have to watch these people like a hawk....if the open end is not letting go of the air, they get a tension PTX.."
My first question is why don't Pts on positive pressure ventilation need a dressing? I guess what I'm saying is that I'm having trouble visualising how postive pressure aids a collapsed lung? Is it that the postive pressure overcomes any residual pressure build up in the pleural space?
Moving on to the more serious tension pneumothorax, does a simple pneumothorax usually progress to this?
Also, If using positive pressure on a pneumothorax, does that encourage air to leak from the damaged lung into the pleural space, causing the pressure to build and the condition to progress to a tension pneumothorax??
I am hoping these questions will spark discussion on the subject as well result in a few direct answers...
Regards,
Peter
( PS,Please use laymans language so a Sun reading Brit has a chance to follow! :D )
During my 72 hours in new member quarantine , I used the time to do some reading/research on previous threads concerning Sucking Chest Wounds and Pneumothorax.
First I should say that the little medic training I had was in the British equivalent of the NG, and that was over 20 years ago, so please go easy on me!
As I undertsand it, a sucking chest wound results in a collapsed lung on the injured side and this would be termed a "simple pneumothorax"??
Although the pt may be short of breath, this type of pneumothorax doesn't require any invasive procedures and is usually treated by sealing the holes either completely, or with a "vented seal" either improvised or using something like an ACS??
However in a previous thread here (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18532&highlight=valve&page=3) Swatsurgeon writes:
"IF and when a patient becomes symptomatic (non-intubated pt.), time for a 3 sided dressing/ACS, etc. All patients with positive pressure being applied via ETT or BVM, don't need one. A dressing somewhat reduces the future contamination (above and beyond what has already occured). The fact is that you have to watch these people like a hawk....if the open end is not letting go of the air, they get a tension PTX.."
My first question is why don't Pts on positive pressure ventilation need a dressing? I guess what I'm saying is that I'm having trouble visualising how postive pressure aids a collapsed lung? Is it that the postive pressure overcomes any residual pressure build up in the pleural space?
Moving on to the more serious tension pneumothorax, does a simple pneumothorax usually progress to this?
Also, If using positive pressure on a pneumothorax, does that encourage air to leak from the damaged lung into the pleural space, causing the pressure to build and the condition to progress to a tension pneumothorax??
I am hoping these questions will spark discussion on the subject as well result in a few direct answers...
Regards,
Peter
( PS,Please use laymans language so a Sun reading Brit has a chance to follow! :D )