Diagnosis and Treatment of Iatrogenic Pneumothorax in Aesthetic Breast Surgery

Abstract

Pneumothorax in breast surgery mammaplasty is a complication not often reported and poorly understood and is the most frequent early complication. There are legal and medical consequences for the patient and the surgeon. Mammaplasty is the most frequently performed surgery in the world and has the best satisfaction in aesthetic surgery. However, the early complication is pneumothorax. Iatrogenic pneumothorax is more common than all other forms of spontaneous pneumothorax in surgical procedures involving the breast aesthetic surgery. The complication of pneumothorax is more common than generally appreciated and is not necessarily caused by negligence. Early diagnosis and treatment of this complication is recommended. Keeping an intracatheter, pigtail catheter, or Heimlich valve in the surgical facility for treatment of a possible tension pneumothorax is essential. The patient’s consent form before surgical procedure should mention this possible complication and the possible need for surgery.