A 48-year-old man on ICU has a persistent air leak from a right-sided chest drain inserted for a pneumothorax 5 days ago. CXR shows the lung is fully ...

Question

A 48-year-old man on ICU has a persistent air leak from a right-sided chest drain inserted for a pneumothorax 5 days ago. CXR shows the lung is fully expanded with the drain in good position. He is on room air with stable observations. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Clamp the drain for 12-24 hours and repeat CXR - if there is no recurrence of pneumothorax, the drain can be removed

Answer

Apply suction to the drain

Answer

Remove the drain immediately without clamping

Answer

Insert a second drain

Answer

Refer for VATS pleurodesis immediately

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Persistent Air Leak

A 48-year-old man on ICU has a persistent air leak from a right-sided chest drain inserted for a pneumothorax 5 days ago. CXR shows the lung is fully expanded with the drain in good position. He is on room air with stable observations. What is the most appropriate next step?