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Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine logoLink to Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
. 1996 Nov;13(6):426–427. doi: 10.1136/emj.13.6.426

Chest wall thickness may limit adequate drainage of tension pneumothorax by needle thoracocentesis.

S Britten 1, S H Palmer 1
PMCID: PMC1342819  PMID: 8947807

Abstract

Tension pneumothorax in a large man was inadequately drained by needle thoracocentesis with a 4.5 cm cannula. Unsuccessful needle thoracocentesis of a clinical tension pneumothorax in a large patient should be followed immediately by chest drain insertion, without local anaesthetic, as dictated by clinical urgency. If the clinical situation is still not improved other diagnoses should be considered.

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