DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2020.v06i05.007

Pages: 240-242

Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening clinical emergency that requires immediate release of intrathoracic pressure to prevent respiratory failure. Generally, pneumothorax can be caused by physical trauma or lung pathology. Tension pneumothorax after thoracic surgery, even though rare, can pose severe threats to the cardiothoracic surgeon and intensivists during post-operative care. Here, we report a child with empyema thoracis. Thoracotomy and decortication was done. However, the child developed immediate acute tension pneumothorax with large extensive surgical emphysema after chest drain removal. The clinical presentation, intensivist and surgical challenges together with its managements are discussed. To date, there is no similar case reported.