Bilateral tension pneumothoraxes in buffalo chest several months after Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax usually occurs in tall and thin young people without an underlying disease or traumatic history. Most patients with pectus excavatum have similar body shapes as patients with pneumothorax. Haller indices of the patients with pneumothorax and pectus excavatum are higher than normal. Pectus excavatum may be a predisposing factor for the development of primary pneumothorax. The Nuss procedure involves inserting a metal bar through the substernal space to correct the pectus excavatum, resulting in a buffalo chest in which both pleural cavities communicate with each other. Therefore, if pneumothorax occurs after the Nuss procedure, it can occur bilaterally. Recently, we encountered a life-threatening case of bilateral tension pneumothoraxes after the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum, which were not related to surgical complications.

Automated summary

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax often occurs in tall and thin individuals without underlying diseases or trauma, and patients with pectus excavatum have higher chances of developing primary pneumothorax. The Nuss procedure, used to correct pectus excavatum, can result in bilateral tension pneumothoraxes if pneumothorax occurs after the surgery.