Emergency Management of Tension Pneumothorax
Tension pneumothorax is a respiratory emergency requiring prompt recognition and immediate intervention to prevent rapid haemodynamic collapse.
Clinical Goal
Immediate release of air and an improvement in clinical parameters. Speed of intervention is critical.
Treatment Approach
The protocol involves emergency needle decompression of the affected side.
Full procedural details — including exact anatomical site, cannula specification, and step-by-step technique — are available in the complete structured protocol below.
References
- Insert a large-bore cannula into the 2nd intercostal space in the mid clavicular line on the side of the suspected pneumothorax.
- This is a respiratory emergency and mandates prompt decompression.
- There should be an immediate release of air and an improvement in the clinical parameters.
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