A 48-year-old member asked:
How would you treat a punctured lung?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Tracy Berganswered
General Surgery 33 years experience
Negative pressure: You can die from collapsed/punctured lung, as it progresses quickly to a tension pneumothorax. First responders, emt and trauma providers are trained to recognize and release the pressure associated with a collapsed lung, to prevent tension pneumothorax. A chest tube is inserted into the space between your lung and chest wall. The tube is put to negative pressure, so lung can re-expand.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 9, 2013
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