Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax

Background. An occult pneumothorax is identified by computed tomography but not visualized by a plain film chest X-ray. The optimal management remains unclear. Methods. A retrospective review of an urban level I trauma center’s trauma registry was conducted to identify patients with occult pneumotho...

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Main Authors: Michael Paplawski, Swapna Munnangi, Jody C. Digiacomo, Edwin Gonzalez, Ashley Modica, Shawndeep S. Tung, Catherine Ko
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Critical Care Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9274697
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author Michael Paplawski
Swapna Munnangi
Jody C. Digiacomo
Edwin Gonzalez
Ashley Modica
Shawndeep S. Tung
Catherine Ko
author_facet Michael Paplawski
Swapna Munnangi
Jody C. Digiacomo
Edwin Gonzalez
Ashley Modica
Shawndeep S. Tung
Catherine Ko
author_sort Michael Paplawski
collection DOAJ
description Background. An occult pneumothorax is identified by computed tomography but not visualized by a plain film chest X-ray. The optimal management remains unclear. Methods. A retrospective review of an urban level I trauma center’s trauma registry was conducted to identify patients with occult pneumothorax over a 2-year period. Factors predictive of chest tube placement were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 131 patients were identified, of whom 100 were managed expectantly with an initial period of observation. Ultimately, 42 (32.0%) patients received chest tubes and 89 did not. The patients who received chest tubes had larger pneumothoraces at initial assessment, a higher incidence of rib fractures, and an increased average number of rib fractures, of which significantly more were displaced. Conclusions. Displaced rib fractures and moderate-sized pneumothoraces are significant factors associated with chest tube placement in a victim of blunt trauma with occult pneumothorax. The optimal timing for the first follow-up chest X-ray remains unclear.
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spelling doaj-art-483bcf0318704046884bce2ea795c39a2025-08-20T03:36:07ZengWileyCritical Care Research and Practice2090-13052090-13132019-01-01201910.1155/2019/92746979274697Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult PneumothoraxMichael Paplawski0Swapna Munnangi1Jody C. Digiacomo2Edwin Gonzalez3Ashley Modica4Shawndeep S. Tung5Catherine Ko6Department of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USADepartment of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USADepartment of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USADepartment of Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, USADepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani School of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USABanner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sun City West, AZ, USADoctors Center, Bridgeport, CT, USABackground. An occult pneumothorax is identified by computed tomography but not visualized by a plain film chest X-ray. The optimal management remains unclear. Methods. A retrospective review of an urban level I trauma center’s trauma registry was conducted to identify patients with occult pneumothorax over a 2-year period. Factors predictive of chest tube placement were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 131 patients were identified, of whom 100 were managed expectantly with an initial period of observation. Ultimately, 42 (32.0%) patients received chest tubes and 89 did not. The patients who received chest tubes had larger pneumothoraces at initial assessment, a higher incidence of rib fractures, and an increased average number of rib fractures, of which significantly more were displaced. Conclusions. Displaced rib fractures and moderate-sized pneumothoraces are significant factors associated with chest tube placement in a victim of blunt trauma with occult pneumothorax. The optimal timing for the first follow-up chest X-ray remains unclear.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9274697
spellingShingle Michael Paplawski
Swapna Munnangi
Jody C. Digiacomo
Edwin Gonzalez
Ashley Modica
Shawndeep S. Tung
Catherine Ko
Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
Critical Care Research and Practice
title Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
title_full Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
title_fullStr Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
title_full_unstemmed Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
title_short Factors Associated with Chest Tube Placement in Blunt Trauma Patients with an Occult Pneumothorax
title_sort factors associated with chest tube placement in blunt trauma patients with an occult pneumothorax
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9274697
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