A Potentially Disastrous Life -Threatening Complication of Emergency Tube Thoracostomy in A Simple Case of Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Nik Him Nik Ahmad Shaiffudin; Nik Arif Nik Mohamad; Azizul  Fadzli Jusoh; Mohd Adib Aiman A Rashid; Amirsyariffudin Amir Hussain

doi:10.37231/myjas.2022.7.2.323

Nik Him Nik Ahmad Shaiffudin Faculty of Medicine, UniversitI Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2948-833X
Nik Arif Nik Mohamad Faculty of Medicine, UniversitI Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Azizul Fadzli Jusoh Faculty of Medicine, UniversitI Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Mohd Adib Aiman A Rashid Hospital Pengajar UniversitI Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampus Gong Badak, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Terengganu
Amirsyariffudin Amir Hussain Hospital Pengajar UniversitI Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kampus Gong Badak, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Terengganu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37231/myjas.2022.7.2.323

Abstract

Emergency tube thoracostomy carries risks of infective and technical complications. The aseptic technique is essential to prevent infections, while blunt dissection method can minimise the associated technical complications. Preparation and adherence to protocols as well as appropriate knowledge and skills, however, are of utmost importance to reduce risks of complications. Physicians must have adequate knowledge of anatomy and the procedure to ensure for accurate site tube placement without any complication. This case illustrates how a failure to appropriately use the instrument resulted in a displaced scalpel blade inside the thoracic cavity. It caused an unnecessary thoracotomy for blade retrieval. The mishap escalated a simple procedure to the potentially disastrous life-threatening event.