Abstract

MEDINA ROMERO, Jorge; TOLEDO SALINAS, Otoniel; GOMEZ FLORES, Saira Sanjuana  and  GARCIA HERNANDEZ, Ernesto. Tension pneumothorax secondary to enteral tube: a case report. Med. crít. (Col. Mex. Med. Crít.) [online]. 2023, vol.37, n.1, pp.56-58.  Epub Sep 30, 2023. ISSN 2448-8909.  https://doi.org/10.35366/109965.

Enteral tube placement is a routine invasive procedure that can present serious complications. We present the case of a 54-year-old man who presented with cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to myocardial infarction and who, after placement of a nasojejunal tube, developed pneumothorax that required removal of the tube, placement of a chest tube and administration of antibiotics. The patient presented adequate lung expansion, which allowed removal of the chest tube six days after its installation, extubation and finally discharge due to improvement. Pneumothorax associated with enteral tube placement occurs in 1.2% of patients. Risk factors are neurological deficit, impaired swallowing and cough reflex. Treatment described in the literature is removal of the tube, use of antibiotics and chest drainage.

Keywords : pneumothorax; enteral nutrition; critically ill patient.