Noninvasive Treatment of Pneumothorax with Oxygen Inhalation

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Treatment for pneumothorax varies from invasive chest tube drainage to conservative management with bed rest. Based on the behavior of gases in closed body cavities, the inhalation of supplemental O2 hastens absorption of the pneumothorax. To evaluate O2 as a therapeutic agent, 8 patients with pneumothoraces of various degrees were treated with a high concentration of inspired O2 delivered by a partial rebreathing mask. Periodic roentgenograms were used to measure the change in size of pneumothorax to assess the rate of resolution. Six patients with pneumothoraces of < 30% showed a mean resolution rate of 4.2%/day with reduction to one-third original size in the first 72 h. This was > 3 times the rate of resolution (1.25%/day) previously reported with breathing room air alone. In 2 patients who initially received a lower concentration of inspired O2 via nasal cannula, the rate of absorption increased after placing them on a partial rebreathing mask. Two patients with 4 episodes of pneumothoraces > 30% did not benefit from this form of therapy and eventually needed chest tube drainage. Administration of high concentrations of inspired O2 is an effective method for enhancing the rate of resolution of pneumothoraces, particularly when < 30%, thereby reducing morbidity and duration of hospitalization and avoiding invasive drainage procedures.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: