What is Open Pneumothorax?
Open Pneumothorax is a disruption in the chest wall that leads air to move freely between the atmosphere and the pleural space. Air is drawn into the wound as the chest moves outward and the diaphragm moves downward during inspiration. The internal thoracic pressure drops and air rushes through the wound and into the chest cavity. This air replaces the lung tissue and permits lung collapse and results in a large functional dead space. On exhalation, the contracting chest wall and the rising diaphragm increase the internal pressure and force air outward through the wound. This movement of air into and out of the chest through the wound is the cause of a “sucking” sound that leads to the wounds common name, “sucking chest wound”. Causes Open Pneumothorax can be caused by anything that can create a significant wound in the chest wall. For air movement to occur through the opening in the chest wall, the opening must be at least two thirds the diameter of the trachea. Signs and Symptoms • P
