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Traumatic pneumothorax may also be observed in those exposed to blasts, even when there is no apparent injury to the chest. [9] Traumatic pneumothoraces may be classified as "open" or "closed". In an open pneumothorax, there is a passage from the external environment into the pleural space through the chest wall.
Pulmonary laceration usually heals quickly after a chest tube is inserted and is usually not associated with major long-term problems. [8] Pulmonary lacerations usually heal within three to five weeks, [12] and lacerations filled with air will commonly heal within one to three weeks but on occasion take longer. [1]
Air is trapped in the chest cavity outside the lungs (pneumothorax) in about 70% of TBI. [4] [10] Especially strong evidence that TBI has occurred is failure of a pneumothorax to resolve even when a chest tube is placed to rid the chest cavity of the air; it shows that air is continually leaking into the chest cavity from the site of the tear. [11]
Potential complications include a pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, and pneumonia. [2] [1] Rib fractures usually occur from a direct blow to the chest such as during a motor vehicle collision or from a crush injury. [2] [1] Coughing or metastatic cancer may also result in a broken rib. [1] The middle ribs are most commonly fractured.
Since the diaphragm is in constant motion with respiration, and because it is under tension, lacerations will not heal on their own. [10] The injury usually becomes larger with time if not repaired. [2] The main goals of surgery are to repair any injuries to the diaphragm and to move any herniated abdominal organs back to their original place. [12]
When subcutaneous emphysema occurs due to pneumothorax, a chest tube is frequently used to control the latter; this eliminates the source of the air entering the subcutaneous space. [2] If the volume of subcutaneous air is increasing, it may be that the chest tube is not removing air rapidly enough, so it may be replaced with a larger one. [8]
Severe pulmonary contusion with pneumothorax and hemothorax following severe chest trauma [68] A large amount of force is required to cause pulmonary contusion; a person injured with such force is likely to have other types of injuries as well. [23] In fact, pulmonary contusion can be used to gauge the severity of trauma. [25]
Pneumothorax Flail chest is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a segment of the rib cage breaks due to trauma and becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall . Two of the symptoms of flail chest are chest pain and shortness of breath .