Publication
Pneumothorax, Chest Drain, and Commercial Air Travel
Journal Paper/Review - Apr 25, 2019
Minotti Bruno, Pulver C, Schaub P, Sieber Robert, von Ow Dieter, Leskow P
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Brief description/objective
We report a case of a previously healthy 54-year-old patient who sustained a small traumatic hemopneumothorax (10% by the Collins formula1) and multiple rib fractures after a biking accident while on vacation. The patient was initially treated conservatively and then had a chest drain with Heimlich valve inserted a week later to allow him to fly home unaccompanied on a long-distance commercial flight. No complications were reported. We discuss the need for chest drain with Heimlich valve in such cases.