title: Diagnosing intraoperative pneumothorax in patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction: a useful clinical sign.
abstract: Intraoperative pneumothorax during breast reconstruction can be difficult to diagnose. Even a small pneumothorax can become a tension pneumothorax under positive pressure ventilation. The clinical finding of venous congestion in a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap, which could not be explained by problems with the vessels, preceded other signs of a tension pneumothorax in the case presented here. Given the difficulties of access to the chest by the anaesthetic team during breast procedures, this has the potential to be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of this potentially serious intraoperative complication.
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6778-8504
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reekie
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7523-0386
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGill
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marshall