Pneumothorax as a complication of lung volume recruitment

Erik J.A. Westermann, Maurice Jans, Michael A. Gaytant, John R. Bach, Mike J. Kampelmacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lung volume recruitment involves deep inflation techniques to achieve maximum insufflation capacity in patients with respiratory muscle weakness, in order to increase peak cough flow, thus helping to maintain airway patency and improve ventilation. One of these techniques is air stacking, in which a manual resuscitator is used in order to inflate the lungs. Although intrathoracic pressures can rise considerably, there have been no reports of respiratory complications due to air stacking. However, reaching maximum insufflation capacity is not recommended in patients with known structural abnormalities of the lungs or chronic obstructive airway disease. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who had poliomyelitis as a child, developed torsion scoliosis and post-polio syndrome, and had periodic but infrequent asthma attacks. After performing air stacking for 3 years, the patient suddenly developed a pneumothorax, indicating that this technique should be used with caution or not at all in patients with a known pulmonary pathology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)382-386
Number of pages5
JournalJornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Keywords

  • Barotrauma
  • Insufflation
  • Pneumothorax

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