Telemedicine-guided thoracentesis of tension pneumothorax in a term newborn

J Telemed Telecare. 2024 Jan;30(1):194-197. doi: 10.1177/1357633X211034316. Epub 2021 Jul 26.

Abstract

We describe a case of a term female infant born in a rural community hospital and who developed a left-sided spontaneous tension pneumothorax shortly after birth. We used telemedicine to guide the family physician and healthcare team at the referring hospital to perform a life-saving thoracentesis using an intravenous cannula. The cannula was kept in place to drain the persistent pneumothorax during transportation to the pediatric intensive care unit at the tertiary hospital.

Keywords: Telemedicine; neonate; pneumothorax; remote consultation; teleconsulting; telehealth; thoracentesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Community
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pneumothorax* / surgery
  • Telemedicine*
  • Tertiary Care Centers
  • Thoracentesis