Full medical treatment of COVID-19 associated large pneumothorax - A case report

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2021 Sep 28;92(1). doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2021.1956.

Abstract

A 52-year-old man was re-admitted two weeks after recovering from severe COVD-19 following a 3-days history of cough and worsening shortness of breath. The chest radiograph showed a large right-sided pneumothorax. The first attempt at drainage, performed through a large bored tube, failed. Due to the large dimension of the pneumothorax, and the lung condition (extensive consolidation and diffuse bullous dystrophies), the only thoracic surgical approach prospected was a pneumonectomy. Willing to preserve the lung, the pulmonology team attempted a multi-phase medical-oriented strategy based on medical thoracoscopy. Therefore, the patient underwent 5 chest tube insertions, 2 talc pleurodesis, and an intrapleural blood patch. Air leakage resolution was progressively achieved, and the patient became asymptomatic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleurodesis / methods
  • Pneumothorax* / surgery
  • Pneumothorax* / therapy
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thoracoscopy