title: Patient-induced complications of a Heimlich flutter valve.
abstract: Heimlich flutter valves have gained widespread acceptance in the treatment of pneumothorax. However, some features of their design may predispose them to inadvertent misuse. A case of tension pneumothorax is described which resulted from the insertion of a drinking straw into the Heimlich flutter valve assembly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Crocker
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ruffin
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy*