Diagnosing intraoperative pneumothorax in patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction: a useful clinical
Thomas Reekie1, David McGill1, Elizabeth Marshall2
1Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract:
Intraoperative pneumothorax during breast reconstruction can be difficult to diagnose. Even a small pneumothorax can become a tension pneumothorax under positive pressure ventilation. The clinical finding of venous congestion in a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap, which could not be explained by problems with the vessels, preceded other signs of a tension pneumothorax in the case presented here. Given the difficulties of access to the chest by the anaesthetic team during breast procedures, this has the potential to be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of this potentially serious intraoperative complication.
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