Synchronous Bilateral Pneumothorax as a Complication of Tracheostomy
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Case report

Synchronous Bilateral Pneumothorax as a Complication of Tracheostomy

Thorac Res Pract 2006;7(2):84-85
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Abstract

Tracheostomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical pro­cedures in critically ill patients. Development of pneumothorax after tracheostomy is a rare but expected complication. We report a case of bilateral iatrogenic pneumothoraces due to a tracheostomy applied because of bilateral vocal cord paralysis associated with dyspnea. Af­ter tracheostomy, bilateral pneumothoraces were identified on chest X-ray. The patient was treated with bilateral tube thoracostomies.

Keywords: tracheostomy, bilateral pneumothorax, iatrogenic pneumothorax