I have had the same question come up recently on a young woman post PTx who will be going on her honeymoon soon. The Aerospace Medicine Association has suggested that patients should be able to fly 2 to 3 weeks after radiographic resolution of their pneumothorax. I have found one neat study on Am Surg. 1999 Dec;65(12):1160-4 by Cheatham & Safcsak and they found it to be safe 14 days after radiographic resolution of the PTx.
Mike raises a good point. The cases I was alluding to were of spontaneous, relatively uncomplicated pneumothoraces. I did a HRCT on my patient and she had no blebs.
I have had the same question come up recently on a young woman post PTx who will be going on her honeymoon soon.
ReplyDeleteThe Aerospace Medicine Association has suggested that patients should be able to fly 2 to 3 weeks after radiographic resolution of their pneumothorax.
I have found one neat study on Am Surg. 1999 Dec;65(12):1160-4 by Cheatham & Safcsak and they found it to be safe 14 days after radiographic resolution of the PTx.
Dr. Inarritu, in your case, did you determine the underlying etiology of the pneumothorax?
ReplyDeleteI think I would be hesitant to clear an individual who has bad COPD with severe bullous disease to travel on an airplane.
CEOB- did you get a HRCT to r/o bullous disease before clearing this individual to fly?
Mike raises a good point. The cases I was alluding to were of spontaneous, relatively uncomplicated pneumothoraces. I did a HRCT on my patient and she had no blebs.
ReplyDelete