Three recent cases of pneumopericardium after closed-chest injury are described. The mechanism of pericardial inflation suspected in each was pleuropericardial laceration in the presence of an intrathoracic air leak. Deflation of the pericardium was achieved by underwater seal drainage of the right pleural cavity in the first patient, during thoracotomy for repair of tracheobronchial rupture in...

Possibility of a system leakage in an air-conditioning system always exists. Once a leakage occurs refrigerant and oil escape from the system and compressor. This paper determines the characteristics of the losses. Two important factors affecting the loss characteristics are location of leakage in the system and speed ofleakage or leakage rate. This paper then reasons the tested actual loss cha...

AIM Prolonged air leaks remain one of the most important complication after pulmonary resection. The aim of this study was to test a new fast-track chest tube removal protocol using a new drainage system, which digitally records postoperative air leaks, compared to the traditional one, with subjective visual air leak assessment. METHODS Patients with moderate COPD undergoing lobectomy for pri...

In a healthy lung, the inside surface of respiratory airways is coated with a thin film of lipids and proteins called lung surfactants (LS) which dynamically alter the surface tension and stabilize airways and reduce the work of breathing. Certain clinical events, such as gastric content aspiration, pneumonia, near-drowning, toxic gas inhalation, or chest/lung trauma will trigger lung surfactan...

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and update information about surfactant therapy replacement in newborns with lung diseases. SOURCES: Literature review, including textbooks, meta-analyses, prospective, randomized controlled trials, retrospective assessments and case studies. Literature was reviewed based on the authors clinical and scientific experience regarding surfactant replacement therapy in neonatal...