injuries and poisoning
Open Pneumothorax
Treatment of Open Pneumothorax
Wound dressing followed by placement of a chest tube (thoracostomy) Doctors immediately cover the wound with a rectangular sterile dressing that is securely taped on only three sides. The dressing prevents air from entering the chest wall during inhalation but allows air to exit the lung on exhalation. Then a chest ( Chest Tube Insertion ) tube is inserted to continue to drain the air and allow the lung to reinflate. The wound may require later surgical repair. 