J Trauma
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Tube thoracostomy for occult pneumothorax: a prospective randomized study of its use.
Occult pneumothorax is defined as a pneumothorax that is detected by abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scanning, but not routine supine screening chest roentgenograms. Forty trauma patients with occult pneumothorax were prospectively randomized to management with tube thoracostomy (n = 19) or observation (n = 21) without regard to the possible need for positive pressure ventilation, to test the hypothesis that tube thoracostomy is unnecessary in this entity. ⋯ Hospital and ICU lengths of stay were not increased by tube thoracostomy. Patients with occult pneumothorax who require positive pressure ventilation should undergo tube thoracostomy.