Clinical Management of Neonatal Pneumothorax using Improvised Chest Tube and Suction Machine in Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Neonatal pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the pleural space. The appropriate size neonatal chest tube with its underwater seal is often not available in many institutions, so we improvise. We present a case report of the clinical management of a two day old male neonate with imperforate anus who had pneumothorax post colostomy creation and our improvised intervention using a size 3 endotracheal tube as our chest tube, 750 ml of water bottle as our underwater seal, and this connected to a suction machine for facilitated drainage of air from the pleural space. This case report is intended to provide an alternative method of intervention in areas where appropriately sized chest tubes underwater seal drainage systems are not available.