Spontaneous pneumothorax after shoulder arthroscopy under general anesthesia: a case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• A geriatric patient sustained complex fractures of the right fifth rib and left scapula following a motor vehicle accident.
• The patient had no prior history of pulmonary disease, making the subsequent complication unexpected.

Observation:

• Surgical intervention involved arthroscopic reduction and screw fixation for the fractures.
• A chest tube was inserted post-operatively.
• Routine postoperative radiography revealed a left-sided pneumothorax.

Findings:

• The pneumothorax was asymptomatic, with no reported hypoxia, chest pain, or respiratory distress.
• This finding highlights a potential, albeit rare, complication following complex fracture repair and chest tube management.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of vigilant radiographic monitoring in the postoperative period, even in the absence of clinical signs of respiratory compromise.
• It suggests that pneumothorax can occur as a delayed or subtle complication after thoracic trauma and surgery.
• Further investigation into the mechanisms and predictive factors for asymptomatic postoperative pneumothorax may be warranted.