|
Trauma patient presented a hemopneumothorax on the left side.Pneumothorax was apical.Single catheter was placed to remove both air (superior; top of pleural space) and blood (inferior; bottom of pleural space).While on suction the patient was able to drain air and blood without incident.The ocean chest drain had a filled, functioning water seal and was applying the desired suction level thus the device was functioning properly.When the hemothorax stopped the decision was made to discontinue negative pressure therapy and place the patient on gravity drainage.At this time the clinicians did not assess whether patient would tolerate gravity drainage prior to discontinuing suction.An x-ray was taken prior to turning off suction (going to water seal) to confirm the hemothorax resolution.It is unknown if resolution of the pneumothorax was confirmed via x-ray (no space seen at the top of the lung) or via water seal monitoring (cessation of bubbling).While the hemothorax fluid rate had dropped/stopped, the pneumothorax was most likely still present, thus not a 'recurrence'.From the information provided it can be concluded that ocean chest drain functioned properly during set up and during use.The inability of the patient to withstand gravity drainage was not chest drain related but as a result of the discontinuation of suction prematurely.
|