Collapsed Lung
A collapsed lung, also called a pneumothorax, occurs when you suffer from chest trauma that punctures your lungs. This allows air to escape into the chest cavity, putting pressure on your lungs that prevents them from expanding to exchange carbon dioxide waste with fresh oxygen. While a pneumothorax can result from a lung illness or blow to the chest, it can also be caused by a surgical error.
A pneumothorax is a serious injury, and it can also be fatal, especially for those who are suffering from other illnesses such as lung cancer. If you have sustained a collapsed lung due to a medical mistake, you should fight back against this dangerous medical negligence. To discuss your case, contact a knowledgeable Philadelphia surgical errors attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 215-238-1130.
Traumatic Pneumothorax
A traumatic pneumothorax occurs when your lung collapses due to an injury. Basically, your lungs are tightly encased in your chest cavity along with your heart and part of the esophagus. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity from your abdomen. When you inhale, your diaphragm descends into the abdomen, allowing your lungs room to expand so that you can breathe.
If a lung is punctured, it can release air into the chest cavity, which then places pressure on the lungs. Sometimes, there may not be enough room for your lung to fully expand, which causes it to deflate. This is a pneumothorax.
Medical Procedures that Cause Collapsed Lungs
There are some medical procedures that can cause a collapsed lung if they are not performed correctly, including:
- Lung biopsies
- Liver biopsies
- Insertion of chest tubes
- Insertion of venous catheters into a chest vein
- Use of mechanical ventilation
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
If you suffer from a collapsed lung, it can complicate other medical conditions that you may have. You should talk to an attorney immediately if medical malpractice has caused you to suffer a pneumothorax.
Contact Us
You may require urgent medical attention to surgically close a tear in your lung tissue. If you are a victim of healthcare negligence resulting in a pneumothorax, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help you with your medical bills and pain and suffering. Contact an experienced Philadelphia surgical errors lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130 today.