injuries poisoning
Pneumothorax (Tension)
Treatment of Tension Pneumothorax
Needle decompression followed by tube thoracostomy Treatment of tension pneumothorax is immediate needle decompression by inserting a large-bore (eg, 14- or 16-gauge) needle into the 2nd intercostal space in the midclavicular line. Air will usually gush out. Because needle decompression causes a simple pneumothorax, tube thoracostomy should be done immediately thereafter. 