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Tension pneumothorax complicating autologous "blood patch" pleurodesis

¹ Department of Cardiology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
² Respiratory Services, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr R Laing
Respiratory Services, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch, New Zealand; richard.laing{at}cdhb.govt.nz

Autologous "blood patching" has been used successfully for the treatment of persistent air leak in patients with spontaneous secondary pneumothorax. The case history is presented of a 19 year old woman with cystic fibrosis who developed tension pneumothorax following this procedure, with rapid clinical deterioration until the obstruction was cleared. To avoid this potentially fatal complication we recommend that "blood patch" pleurodesis be performed only through large bore intercostal catheters, that blood is rapidly transferred into the catheter tubing, a sterile saline flush and full resuscitation equipment is available, and the operator is skilled in the management of tension pneumothorax.

Keywords: tension pneumothorax; pleurodesis; autologous "blood patching"

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