title: General anaesthesia and undrained pneumothorax. The use of a computer-controlled propofol infusion.
abstract: A patient who required pleurectomy had a 30% pneumothorax when she was presented for anaesthesia. She had refused to have this drained, and it had not responded to conservative management. She was anaesthetised using a computer-controlled propofol infusion system, without the use of nitrous oxide, and a chest drain was inserted before the institution of positive pressure ventilation. This technique reduces the hazards associated with general anaesthesia in the presence of an undrained pneumothorax. It may be a safe alternative method of induction of anaesthesia in other conditions in which positive pressure ventilation must be avoided, such as bronchopleural fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Crofts
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hutchison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D003201:Computers; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015742:Propofol