PneumothoraxHemothorax

Orientation 2003

Signs & Symptoms

Increased oxygen support Poor gases Dyspnea - labored breathing Diminished or no breath sounds Crepitus in upper or lower lung fields Apnea, bradycardia Low or falling saturation

TREATMENT

May resolve without treatment if asymptomatic

100 % Oxygen by head hood (Nitrogen washout)

Thoracentisis (needle aspiration)

Placement of thoracotomy or chest tube

Head Hood - 100 % Oxygen

Used with asymptomatic or non ventilated infants.

Helps in the absorption of the air by the pleural capillaries.

This treatment is not recommended in preterm infant due to oxtocity.

Thoracotomy

Placement of tube in the chest cavity to a drainage system

Water seal system (Pleur-vac, Atrium, water bottle set up, or Thoraseal)

Non-water seal system (Thoraklex)

Continuous negative pressure of 10 - 20 cm H20

THORACENTISIS

Removal of air by needle aspiration

Performed at the bedside by MD

May be before a thoracotomy tube is placed

May be done more than once

Assisting w/thoracentisis

Obtain the correct equipment (see handout) MD may ask you to pull off air while they

stabilize the needle placement– gently turn stopcock off to atmosphere and open to infant and

syringe

– gently pull fluid/air into syringe

– turn stopcock off to infant and open to atmosphere and syringe

– expel air/fluid with caution and appropriately

– document amount of fluid/air removed, status of infant

DOCUMENTATION

events leading to detection of air leak how the air leak was detected who performed the needle aspiration & what was aspirated amount color and consistency of aspiration chest tube placement, size, type type of drainage system and suction pressure presence of bubbling as well as pattern in drainage system

indicate if air leak is present use of sedation/anesthetics patient’s tolerance and comfort appearance of CT site and dressing Breath sounds and respiratory effort Any resuscitation efforts