We use cookies to provide you with a better service. Like the inner tube of bicycle or car tyre, damage to the lungs can lead to a puncture. As air leaks out, it builds up in the cavity between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse.
Known as a pneumothorax, this condition typically affects very tall young men or older patients with severe underlying lung disease.
The response was dramatic — this was clearly something that others in the field were seeing. Professor Marciniak subsequently obtained the appropriate ethical approvals and exchanged anonymised clinic information about 71 patients from around the UK. Traumatic pneumothorax can occur in a car crash if something causes direct trauma to the chest. If the chest strikes the steering column, for example, it could result in a collapsed lung. A broken rib can also puncture a lung in a car accident.
Spontaneous pneumothorax can occur without any precise cause. A punctured lung can be a life-threatening condition without immediate medical treatment. Treatment can involve supplying oxygen while the lung heals on its own, releasing unwanted air using a needle, placing a tube in the chest to drain the air, or surgery to repair the lung tissue.
The treatment approach will depend on the severity of the injury. Some people who have decreased oxygen levels due to a punctured lung may need supplemental oxygen until their lung re-expands fully. When symptoms, such as breathlessness, are present or a large portion of the lung has collapsed, treatment is needed. Treatment for a pneumothorax involves lessening pressure on the affected lung to allow it to re-expand.
The most common and effective way of dealing with a punctured lung is by the insertion of a chest tube or hollow needle. For this procedure, the doctor inserts a hollow needle or chest tube into the pleural space to let the air out.
A syringe is attached to the needle to draw the excess air out of the space. A chest tube is made of plastic and inserted into the body, in a similar way to a needle, to remove the air.
The chest tube can be connected to a suction machine to remove the excess air from the pleural cavity. If a large portion of the lung has collapsed, the chest tube may have to stay in place for a few days. As the air comes out, the pressure against the lung is decreased and the lung tissue can expand again. Additional procedures may be required if all the air cannot be removed or further air enters the pleural space.
The time it takes to recover from a punctured lung will vary. Recovery time is determined by the extent of the pneumothorax and the treatment that is needed. In general, recovery will take a few weeks. During the recovery time, a person may be monitored to make sure their lungs are working properly.
People recovering from a punctured lung may be instructed to do breathing exercises to encourage full lung expansion. The type of pneumothorax caused by ruptured air blisters is most likely to occur in people between 20 and 40 years old, especially if the person is very tall and underweight. Underlying lung disease or mechanical ventilation can be a cause or a risk factor for a pneumothorax.
Other risk factors include:. Potential complications vary, depending on the size and severity of the pneumothorax as well as the cause and treatment. Sometimes air may continue to leak if the opening in the lung won't close or pneumothorax may recur.
Pneumothorax care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Collapsed and normal lung Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Collapsed and normal lung In a collapsed lung, air from the lung leaks into the chest cavity. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Show references Ferri FF.
0コメント