Prospective Evaluation of Needle Exsufflation for Pneumothorax

success of needle exsufflation is defined as the absence of chest tube insertion requirement within 24hrs following needle exsufflation

success of needle exsufflation is defined as the absence of chest tube insertion requirement within 24hrs following needle exsufflation; duration of symptoms prior to exsufflation is the time (in hrs) elapsed between first chest pain reported by the patient and needle exsufflation

participants will be followed for the duration of ICU stay, from ICU admission to ICU discharge, an expected average of 8 days

participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, from hospital admission to hospital discharge, an expected average of 15 days

Patients will be monitored for eventual need for surgical pleurodesis during their ICU stay because of persistent or worsening pneumothorax

late exsufflation failure is defined as patients requiring chest tube insertion at least 24 hrs after needle exsufflation because of persistent or worsening of pneumothorax despite initial early success

Patients will be followed for an expected average of 30 days to identify those with recurrent pneumothorax

patients are asked to assess the maximal pain felt during needle exsufflation or chest tube insertion with the use of a numeric scale from 0 [no pain] to 10 [worst possible pain]

Patients will be followed for 8 days to identify those with either hemothorax (defined as hematic pleural effusion requiring thoracic drainage); or a vacuo pulmonary edema (defined as occurrence of localised alveolar interstitial opacities on post-procedure chest X-ray); or site of chest tube insertion infection (presence of purulent secretions issuing from chest tube insertion site)