Abstract
Bilateral pneumothoraces are a very rare event. In clinical settings, inadvertent
incursion into the pleural space resulting from diagnostic or therapeutic medical
interventions such as bilateral venipunctures or damage to the lung parenchyma due
to high pressure ventilation may be causative. Bilateral pneumothoraces postcardiac
surgery are rarely reported. We present the case of bilateral tension pneumothoraces
leading up to cardiorespiratory arrest in a 57-year-old male, weighing 130 kg, who
underwent without any complications a coronary artery bypass surgery. Thoracic chest
tubes (retrosternal and intrapericardial) and a left pleural tube were removed 24
hours prior to the incident. Diffuse sternal pain sensation accompanied by slow progressive
respiratory distress and confusion shortly before the incident were all developed
over a period of 12 hours. A prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation and bilateral chest
tube insertion had prevented a fatality in the patient.
Keywords
pneumothorax - chest - postoperative care
