Patient-induced complications of a Heimlich flutter valve.
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.
Crocker
H L
HL
Department of Thoracic Medicine, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia.
Ruffin
R E
RE
D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000628:therapy*