World Journal of Emergency Surgery

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Reexpansion pulmonary edema following a posttraumatic pneumothorax: a case report and review of the literature

Mark Malota1*, Markus C Kowarik2, Barbara Bechtold3 and Reinhard Kopp1

Author Affiliations

1 Krankenhaus München Harlaching, Departement of Surgery, Munich, Germany

2 Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany

3 Krankenhaus München Harlaching, Departement of Anaesthesiology, Munich, Germany

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World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2011, 6:32 doi:10.1186/1749-7922-6-32

Published: 2 September 2011

Abstract

The reexpansion pulmonary edema is a rare, but life threatening complication of a pneumothorax. Early recognition and a fast symptom orientated therapy are necessary for a good outcome. Several cases after non traumatic pneumothoraces are reported. We describe a patient who presented with a post-traumatic right pneumothorax. After the insertion of a chest tube he developed a reexpansion pulmonary edema, which had to be treated by an intubation.

Additionally, a review of the literature regarding case reports of reexpansion pulmonary edema is presented.

Keywords:
reexpansion pulmonary edema; acute pulmonary failure; posttraumatic pneumothorax; chest tube