title: Persistent pneumothorax treated with continuous positive airway pressure.
abstract: A patient who presented with persistent pneumothorax after blunt chest trauma is described. The lung re-expanded partially in response to chest drain suction but some areas remained collapsed. The institution of continuous positive airway pressure on an intermittent basis, was followed by complete re-expansion of the lung and resolution of the pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Elphinstone
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000150:complications; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications