Challenges of Managing a Patient With Traumatic Pneumothorax for Aeromedical Transfer

Abstract

The aeromedical transport of patients with pneumothorax presents unique clinical and logistical challenges. While recent evidence suggests that transportation of hemodynamically stable patients with pneumothorax in a limited range of altitude is generally safe and does not uniformly necessitate pre-flight thoracostomy, geographical and operational realities may complicate adherence. The following clinical case of a 59-year-old female suffering a traumatic pneumothorax in a small town in Iceland illustrates the challenges encountered in Iceland, especially in rural areas where local resources are limited and reliance on aeromedical evacuation is common. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multifactorial assessment prior to transfer.