What Is the Treatment of Pneumomediastinum? Conservative Management and Symptom Relief
Pneumomediastinum is managed with a structured, evidence-based conservative approach. The clinical priority is to stabilise the patient, control symptoms, and monitor for serious complications before discharge can be considered.
Clinical Goals
Treatment success is defined by control of pain, demonstrated stability of the pneumomediastinum, and exclusion of complications such as pneumothorax — achieving these is considered adequate for safe patient discharge.
Treatment Approach
Management is conservative, directed at symptom relief, and includes close inpatient observation alongside several targeted supportive measures — the complete structured regimen is available in the full protocol.
References
DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.01.11
- Following diagnosis patients are usually hospitalized for at least 24 hours merely for observation.
- Physical activity should be discouraged and bed rest must be ensured.
- Pain is controlled with analgesics, according to the Individual Unit's protocols.
- Anti-anxiety drugs should also be administered.
- Coughing should be suppressed with relative antitussives.
- Most authors suggest that the control of pain and the stability of pneumomediastinum, as well as the elimination of complications, such as pneumothorax, should be considered as adequate for discharging such patients.
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