Aspiration of Pneumothorax: Various Technique

Pneumothorax encountered in emergency departments may be spontaneous or traumatic. Aspiration is an easy therapeutic option for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. This approach includes performing an aspiration through a catheter, without equipment being left. It allows outpatient care, quality care issues (efficiency, safety, security) and health economics issues (decreased length and rate of hospitalization). Aspiration can be carried through different devices, easy to use, at the second intercostal space in the midclavicular line or at the fifth intercostal space in the axillary line. Needle aspiration is not recommended for risk of failure, due to inadequate catheter length for chest wall thickness. Small bore drain instead with Seldinger technique or thoracentesis procedure should be considered as first therapy. Complications are less compared to chest tube. Most often it involves obstruction or catheter displaced. Aspiration is also a life support treatment for tension pneumothorax. Good practices of one of these techniques is essential for emergency physician.