Delayed pneumothorax (PTX) occurs in up to 12 percent of patients with penetrating thoracic injuries that initially appear to be innocuous. Recommended observation times range . . .
Delayed pneumothorax (PTX) occurs in up to 12 percent of patients with penetrating thoracic injuries that initially appear to be innocuous. Recommended observation times range from 6 to 48 hours. Healthcare resources could be saved and patient inconvenience decreased if a shorter observation period were found to be safe. These authors prospectively studied 116 consecutive stable trauma patients with penetrating thoracic trauma and no evidence of PTX by chest X-ray or physical examination on initial presentation. Patients ranged in age from 10 to 68 years; 86 percent were male. Injuries were caused by stabbings (80 percent) or gunshots (20 percent).
When possible, patients received follow-up chest X-rays at 3 and 6 hours. Two patients were ex…