Perioperative pneumothorax: A rare complication

Abstract

We present a perioperative case of spontaneous pneumothorax in a 50-year-old female patient. The case report describes the presentation and outlines the management. The patient presented with difficulty in breathing, desaturation, and restlessness immediately after extubation. Decreased chest movements, hyperresonant percussion note, and absent air entry on auscultation on one side of her chest was noted. The patient was hemodynamically stable. Then, 100% O 2 with closed circuit was continued while a portable X-ray of her chest was taken to confirm the diagnosis of pneumothorax. Intercostal drainage was done on the affected side immediately and the symptoms were relieved. The case report discusses a very rare perioperative complication and highlights the importance of clinical diagnosis and swiftness of intervention.