Review of risk factors, clinical manifestations, rapid diagnosis, and emergency treatment of neonatal perioperative pneumothorax

Abstract

Perioperative neonatal pneumothorax (NP) is rare but very fatal. Most of the surgeries and treatments in the neonatal period are time-limited or emergent, and there are often some risk factors for pneumothorax before surgery. Physicians, surgeons and anesthesiologists need to identify possible risk factors for pneumothorax before surgery in preterm babies, patients receiving mechanical ventilation and those with underlying lung disease. The clinical presentation of NP is nonspecific, and patients may rapidly develop life-threatening complications if not promptly diagnosed and managed. This review highlights recent progress in the identification of risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of NP during the perioperative period.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Neonatal Pneumothorax: Seven Years of Experience in a Tertiary Care Center

“…Clinical examination, transillumination, and chest radiographs, together with the recent utilization of lung ultrasound are used to make an effective diagnosis and in the timely management of pneumothorax [ 4 , 5 ]. National data from Saudi Arabia and developing countries were quite limited.…”