The nose

The nose, the first area in which inhaled air is filtered (Fig. 12-1), is lined with ciliated epithelium. Cilia move mucus and particles of foreign matter to the pharynx to be expectorated or swallowed (Fig. 12-2). Other functions of the nose include humidification and warming of the inhaled air and the olfactory function of smell.¹

FIG. 12-1 Sagittal section through the nose.

(From Watson R: Anatomy and physiology for nurses, ed 13, Edinburgh, 2011, Baillière Tindall.)

FIG. 12-2 Mucus blanket of nasal airways. Outer (gel-like) layer rests on tips of beating cilia, and inner (water) layer bathes cilia. Particles are trapped on sticky outer blanket and carried posteriorly into nasopharynx by organized beating of cilia.

(From Bill RL: Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics for the veterinary technician, ed 3, St. Louis, 2006, Mosby.)

Dry gases are often administered during anesthesia. These gases dry the mucous membranes and slow the action of the cilia. The administration of moist gases in the PACU with various humidification and mist therapy devices keeps this physiologic filter system viable. A tracheostomy precludes the functions of the nose, and proper tracheostomy care, including the administration of humidified oxygen, must be instituted.²

The blood supply to the nose is provided by the internal and external maxillary arteries, which are derived from the external carotid artery, and by branches of the internal carotid arteries. The venous plexus of the nasal mucosa is drained into the common facial vein, the anterior facial vein, the exterior jugular vein, or the ophthalmic vein. A highly vascular plexus of vessels is located in the mucosa of the anterior nasal septum. This plexus is called the Kiesselbach plexus or the Little area. In most instances, this area is the source of epistaxis.³

Epistaxis can occur in the PACU after trauma to the nasal veins from nasotracheal tubes or to nasal airways during anesthesia. If epistaxis occurs, prompt action should be taken to prevent aspiration of blood into the lungs. The patient should be positioned with the head up and flexed forward toward the chest. Cold compresses applied to the bridge of the nose and neck may be effective in slowing or stopping the bleeding. If the bleeding is profuse, the oral cavity should be suctioned carefully and the attending physician should be notified. A nasal pack or cautery with silver nitrate or electric current may be necessary to stop the bleeding.⁴

The pharynx

The pharynx originates at the posterior aspect of the nasal cavities and is called the nasopharynx until it reaches the soft palate, where it becomes the oropharynx. The oropharynx extends to the level of the hyoid bone, where it becomes the laryngeal pharynx, which extends caudally to below the hyoid bone.¹

The larynx

The larynx, or voice box (Fig. 12-3), is situated anterior to the third, fourth, and fifth cervical vertebrae in the adult male. It is situated higher in women and children. Nine cartilages held together with ligaments and intertwined with many small muscles constitute the larynx. The thyroid cartilage, the largest, is V-shaped; its protruding prominence is commonly referred to as the Adam’s apple. The thyroid cartilage is attached to the hyoid bone by the hyothyroid membrane and to the cricoid cartilage. The cricoid cartilage is situated below the thyroid cartilage and anteriorly forms a signet-shaped ring. The signet lies posteriorly as a quadrilateral lamina joined in front by a thin arch. The inner surface of the cricoid cartilage is lined with a mucus membrane. In children younger than 12 years, the cricoid cartilage is the smallest opening to the bronchi of the lungs.

FIG. 12-3 The larynx.

(Netter illustration from www.netterimages.com. © Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The epiglottis, a cartilage of the larynx, is an important landmark for tracheal intubation that serves to deflect foreign objects away from the trachea. This cartilage is leaf shaped and projects outward above the thyroid cartilage over the entrance to the trachea. The lower portion is attached to the thyroid lamina, and the anterior surface is attached to the hyoid bone and thereby to the base of the tongue. The valleys on either side of the glossoepiglottic fold are termed the valleculae.⁵

The arytenoid cartilages are paired and articulate with the lamina of the cricoid through the articular surface on the base of the arytenoid. The anterior angle of the arytenoid cartilage projects forward to form the vocal process. The medial surface of the cartilage is covered by a mucous membrane to form the lateral portion of the rima glottis—that is, the split between the vocal cords. The rima glottis is completed anteriorly by the thyroid cartilage and posteriorly by the cricoid cartilage.

The corniculate cartilages are two small nodules that are located at the apex of the arytenoid. The cuneiform cartilage is a flake of cartilage within the margin of the aryepiglottic folds. It probably serves to stiffen the folds.

The larynx has nine membranes and extrinsic or intrinsic ligaments. Extrinsic ligaments connect the thyroid cartilage and the epiglottis with the hyoid bone and the cricoid cartilage with the trachea. Intrinsic ligaments connect the cartilages of the larynx with each other.

The fissure between the vocal folds, or true cords, is termed the rima glottidis or glottis. In the adult, this opening between the vocal cords is the narrowest part of the laryngeal cavity. Any obstruction in this area leads to death via suffocation if not relieved promptly. The rima glottidis divides the laryngeal cavity into two main compartments: (1) the upper portion is the vestibule, which extends from the laryngeal outlet to the vocal cords and includes the laryngeal sinus, sometimes called the middle compartment; and (2) the lower compartment, which extends from the vocal cords to the lower border of the cricoid cartilage and thereafter, is contiguous with the trachea.⁶

The muscles of the larynx are also either intrinsic or extrinsic. The intrinsic muscles control the movements of the laryngeal framework. They open the cords on inspiration, close the cords and the laryngeal inlet during swallowing, and alter the tension of the cords during speech. The extrinsic muscles are involved in the movements of the larynx as a whole, such as in swallowing.⁴

The nerve supply to the larynx is from the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves of the vagus. The superior laryngeal nerve passes deep to both the internal and the external carotid arteries and divides into a small external branch that supplies the cricothyroid muscles that tense the vocal ligaments. The larger internal branch pierces the thyrohyoid membrane to provide sensory fibers to the mucosa of both sides of the epiglottis and the larynx above the cords.¹

The recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right side exits from the vagus as it crosses the right subclavian artery and ascends to the larynx in the groove between the trachea and esophagus (Fig. 12-4). When the nerve reaches the neck, it assumes the same relationships as on the right. This nerve provides the motor function to the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, with the exception of the cricothyroid, and also provides sensory function to the laryngeal mucosa below the vocal cords.

FIG. 12-4 Left recurrent laryngeal nerve passing through the superior mediastinum.

(From Drake RL, et al: Gray’s anatomy for students, ed 2, Philadelphia, 2010, Churchill Livingstone.)

Laryngospasm, a spasm of the laryngeal muscle tissue, may be complete (with complete closure of the vocal cords) or incomplete (with partial closure of the vocal cords). Patients with partial or complete airway obstruction, such as laryngospasm, usually have a paradoxic rocking motion of the chest wall. This motion can be misinterpreted as normal abdominal breathing. As a result, the perianesthesia nurse should always auscultate the patient’s lungs to determine the degree of ventilation and should not rely on just a visual assessment of the motion of the chest.

When a laryngospasm occurs in the PACU, prompt emergency treatment is necessary to save the patient’s life. The perianesthesia nurse should have someone on the PACU staff summon the anesthesia provider when laryngospasm is suspected. Treatment consists of mask ventilation with sustained moderate pressure on the reservoir bag. This maneuver usually helps to overcome the partial laryngospasm. Complete laryngospasm not relieved with positive pressure within at least 1 minute necessitates more aggressive treatment. Intravenous (0.5 mg/kg) or intramuscular (1 mg/kg) succinylcholine can be administered to relax the smooth muscle of the larynx. Endotracheal intubation may be necessary.^7,8 The nurse must remember that ventilation of the patient’s lungs should be continued until complete respiratory functioning has returned.

The trachea

The trachea is a musculomembranous tube surrounded by 16 to 20 incomplete cartilaginous rings. These C-shaped rings prevent the collapse of the trachea and thereby maintain free passage of air. The trachea is lined with ciliated columnar epithelium, which aids in the removal of foreign material.

The area at the distal end of the trachea at the point of bifurcation into the right and left main stem bronchi is called the carina (Fig. 12-5). The carina contains sensitive pressoreceptors, which on stimulation (i.e., with an endotracheal tube) cause the patient to cough and “buck.” The angle created at the point of bifurcation into the right and left main stem bronchi is clinically significant to the perianesthesia nurse. This angle varies according to the age and gender of the patient (Table 12-1). The angle at the right main stem bronchus is smaller than the angle at the left main stem bronchus. Foreign material can easily enter the right main stem bronchus at this point. Endotracheal tubes, if advanced too far, usually enter the right main stem bronchus and thereby occlude the left main stem bronchus. As a result, the left lung cannot be ventilated. Signs of this complication include decreased or absent breath sounds in the left side of the chest, tachycardia, and uneven expansion of the chest on inspiration and expiration.^5,9,10

FIG. 12-5 Bifurcation of trachea into main stem bronchi.

(From Nagelhout JJ, Plaus KL: Nurse anesthesia, ed 4, St. Louis, 2010, Saunders.)

Table 12-1 Variations of Bronchial Bifurcation Angles in Adults and Children

Bronchi and lungs

Each primary bronchus supplies a number of lobar bronchi (Fig. 12-6). Humans have an upper, middle, and lower lobe bronchus on the right and only an upper and lower lobe bronchus on the left. Within each pulmonary lobe, a lobar (secondary) bronchus soon divides into tertiary branches that are remarkably constant as to number and distribution within the lobe. The segment of a lobe aerated by a tertiary bronchus is usually well delineated from adjoining segments by complete planes of connective tissue. These areas of the lung are well defined; therefore pulmonary diseases may be limited to a particular segment or segments of a lobe.

FIG. 12-6 Distribution of bronchi within lungs. Enlarged inset shows detail of alveolus.

(From National Association of Emergency Media: PHTLS prehospital trauma life support , ed 6, St. Louis, 2007, Mosby.)

The bronchi bifurcate 22 or 23 times from the main stem bronchus to the terminal bronchi. These bronchi have connective tissue and cartilaginous support. The terminal bronchi branch to the bronchioles with a diameter of 1 mm or smaller and lack cartilaginous support. Bronchioles have thin, highly elastic walls composed of smooth muscle, which is arranged circularly. When the circular smooth muscle is contracted, the bronchiolar lumen is constricted. This circular smooth muscle is innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system (vagus nerve), which causes constriction, and the sympathetic nervous system, which causes dilatation. The patency of the terminal bronchioles therefore is determined by the tonus of the muscle produced by a balance between the two components of the nervous system. Bronchospasm occurs when the smooth muscles constrict or experience spasm, ultimately leading to airway obstruction.

The terminal bronchioles divide into the respiratory bronchioles in which actual gas exchange first occurs. The respiratory bronchioles bifurcate to form alveolar ducts, and these in turn terminate in spherical enclosures called the alveolar sac. The sacs enclose a small but variable number of terminal alveoli.³

The number of alveoli in an average adult’s lungs is estimated to be 750 million. The surface area available for gas exchange is approximately 125 m². Alveoli are shaped like soap bubbles in a glass. The interalveolar septum has a supporting latticework composed of elastic collagenous and reticular fibers. The capillaries are incorporated into and supported by the fibrous lattice. The capillary networks in the lungs are the richest in the body.

The lungs receive unoxygenated blood from the left and right pulmonary arteries, which originate from the right ventricle of the heart. The divisions of the pulmonary artery tend to follow the bifurcations of the airway. Typically, two pulmonary veins exit from each lung, and all four veins empty separately into the left atrium. The blood that arrives in the rich pulmonary capillary network from the pulmonary arteries provides for the metabolic needs of the pulmonary parenchyma. Other portions of the lungs, such as the conducting vessels and airways, need their own private circulation. The bronchial arteries, which arise from the aorta, provide the oxygenated blood to the lung tissue. The blood of the bronchial arteries returns to the heart by way of the pulmonary veins.³

Each lung is contained in a thin elastic membranous sac called the visceral pleura, which is adherent to the external surface of the lung. Another membrane, the parietal pleura, lines the chest wall. These two membranes normally are close to each other. A few milliliters of viscous fluid are secreted between them for lubrication. The visceral pleura continuously absorbs this fluid.

Lung volumes and capacities

Perianesthesia care of the patient is largely based on knowledge of the physiology and pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Dysfunction in lung volumes and capacities that occurs in the patient after surgery is the compelling reason for institution of the stir-up regimen in the PACU. Accordingly, the physiology of the lung volumes and capacities and lung mechanics are described in detail. Table 12-2 provides the definition and normal value for each lung volume and capacity. As shown in Table 12-2 and Fig. 12-7, a lung capacity comprises two or more lung volumes.

FIG. 12-7 Graphic representation of normal lung volumes and capacities.

(From Hall JE: Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology, ed 12, Philadelphia, 2011, Saunders.)

Lung mechanics

Mechanical features of the lungs

Mechanical forces of the respiratory system actually determine the lung volumes and capacities. For an understanding of how these lung volumes and capacities are determined and how they are affected by anesthesia and surgery, the perianesthesia nurse should become familiar with the balance-of-forces concept of the respiratory system (see the section on combined mechanical properties of the lungs and chest wall). The PACU stir-up regimen is designed to increase the postoperative patient’s lung volumes and capacities with enhancement of the mechanical forces of the respiratory system.

The lungs and chest wall are viscoelastic structures, one within the other. Because they are elastic, the lungs always want to collapse or recoil to a smaller position. Therefore, as can be seen in the pressure-volume (P-V) curve of the lungs alone (Fig. 12-8), at less than RV the lungs are collapsed and no pressure is transmitted across the lungs (i.e., no transpulmonary pressure). When the lungs are inflated to a volume halfway between RV and TLC, the lungs seek to recoil or collapse back to the resting position equal to or less than RV, which is reflected by an increase in transpulmonary pressure. When the lungs are fully inflated at TLC, a maximal transpulmonary pressure is also exhibited. By analogy, when a balloon is completely deflated, the pressure measured at the mouth of the balloon is zero. When the balloon is partially inflated, the pressure increases as the elastic forces of the balloon try to make the balloon recoil to its resting position. If the balloon is maximally inflated, the elastic recoil of the balloon is greater, as is the pressure measured at the mouth of the balloon.

FIG. 12-8 Static deflation pressure-volume curve for lung. Positive pressures represent pressures that tend to decrease lung volume. TLC, Total lung capacity; RV, residual volume.

(From Drain C: Physiology of the respiratory system related to anesthesia, CRNA 7: 163–180, 1996.)

Pulmonary hysteresis

Inflation and deflation paths of the P-V curve of the lung are not aligned on top of each other (Fig. 12-9). The path of deformation (inspiration) to TLC is different from the path followed when the force is withdrawn (expiration) from TLC to RV. This phenomenon is known as pulmonary hysteresis. The following factors contribute to pulmonary hysteresis: properties of the tissue elements (a minor factor), recruitment of lung units, and the surface tension phenomenon (surfactant).¹

FIG. 12-9 Inflation and deflation paths of pressure-volume curve of lungs.

(From Koeppen BM, Stanton BA: Berne and Levy’s physiology, ed 6 [updated edition], St. Louis, 2010, Mosby.)

Elastic properties of the lung

The elastic properties of the lung tissue contribute only a small part to the phenomenon of hysteresis.

Recruitment of lung units

Recruitment of lung units has an important part in pulmonary hysteresis. For an understanding of recruitment of lung units, the nurse must be familiar with the concept of airway closure. An apex-to-base gradient of alveolar size exists in the lung (Fig. 12-10). This gradient occurs because of the weight of the lung, which tends to pull the lung toward its base. As a result, the pleural pressure is more negative at the apex than at the base of the lung. Ultimately, at low lung volumes, the alveoli at the apex are inflated more than the alveoli at the base. At the base of the lungs, some alveoli are closed to ventilation because the weight of the lungs in that area causes the pleural pressure to become positive. Airways open only when the critical opening pressure is achieved during inflation and the lung units peripheral to them are recruited to participate in volume exchange. This process is called radial traction or a tethering effect on airways. An analogy of a nylon stocking can aid in the explanation of this concept. When no traction is applied to the nylon stocking, the holes in the stocking are small. As traction is applied to the stocking from all sides, each nylon filament pulls on the others, which spreads apart all the other filaments; and the holes in the stocking enlarge. Similarly, as one airway opens, it produces radial traction on the next airway and pulls the next airway open; in other words, it recruits airways to open. The volume of air in the alveoli behind the closed airways is termed the closing volume (CV). The CV plus the RV is termed the closing capacity (CC). The CC normally occurs at less than the FRC.⁵

FIG. 12-10 Alveolar size from apex to base of lungs, as subject inhales from residual volume (A) to total lung capacity (B).

During the early emergence phase of anesthesia, patients usually have low lung volumes, which can lead to airway closure. Consequently, a postoperative breathing maneuver that has a maximal alveolar inflating pressure, a long alveolar inflating time, and high alveolar inflating volume, such as the SMI or yawn maneuver, should be used to facilitate the maximal recruitment of lung units. With the recruitment of lung units, the FRC could be raised out of the closing volume range and ultimately hypoxemia could be reduced.

Surface tension phenomenon

The surface tension phenomenon relates to the action of surfactant on lung tissue. Surfactant is a phospholipid rich in lecithin that is produced by the type II alveolar cells. Surfactant lines the alveolus as a thin surface-active film. This film has a physiologic action of reducing the surface tension of the alveoli and terminal respiratory airways. If the surfactant were not present, the surface tension would be fixed and greater pressure would be needed to keep the alveolus open. As a result, small alveoli would empty into larger ones, atelectasis would regularly occur at low lung volumes, and large expanding pressures would be necessary to reopen collapsed lung units. Surfactant is also an important factor in alveolar inflation because it provides uniformity in the inflation of lung units. In these ways, surfactant helps to impart stability to alveoli in the normal lung. In addition to a major role in pulmonary hysteresis, surfactant also contributes to lung recoil and reduces the workload of breathing.⁸

Lung compliance

Several other terms that relate to the P-V curve of the lung deserve attention. One term is lung compliance (C_L), which is defined as the change in volume for a given change in pressure or the pressure needed for maintenance of a given volume of inflation. The normal value for C_L is 0.1 L per cm H₂O.

where V represents volume and P represents pressure.

Lung compliance is a measurement of the distensibility of the lungs during breathing. According to convention, C_L means the slope on the static deflation portion of the P-V curve over the V_T range; therefore C_L can be said to be the slope of the P-V curve, and it may remain unchanged even if marked changes in lung elastic properties cause a shift of the P-V curve to the left or right. As a result, clinical measurement of lung compliance is done over the V_T range, during deflation. Measurement of the C_L over any other portion of the P-V curve can result in an inaccurate reading as compared with a normal value. Lung elastic recoil (Pst_L) is the pressure exerted by the lung (transpulmonary pressure) because of its tendency to recoil or collapse to a smaller resting state. At low lung volumes, the Pst_L is low; at high lung volumes, the Pst_L is high. This elastic retractive force (i.e., Pst_L) is the result of the overall structural elements of the lung combined with the lung surface tension forces. As mentioned previously, the C_L represents the slope of the P-V curve, and the Pst_L represents the points along the P-V curve. Changes in C_L and Pst_L have dramatic implications in the alteration of lung volumes that occurs in the immediate postoperative period (see the section on postoperative lung volumes).⁵

Equal pressure point

The equal pressure point (EPP) has many clinical implications to perianesthesia practice. More specifically, intraoperative and postoperative mechanical ventilations, along with pursed lips and abdominal breathing of the patient with compliant airways, are based on this concept.

The alveoli and airways can be imagined as a balloon in a box (Fig. 12-11). Flow out of the balloon is facilitated by the recoil of the balloon, which forces the air out of the balloon through the neck and out into the atmosphere. The addition of pressure all over the box forces the air out of the balloon at a higher rate of flow. Physiologically, the balloon recoil is analogous to the alveolar recoil pressure. The pressure pushing down on the balloon and its neck corresponds to a positive pleural pressure that is generated on a forced expiratory maneuver. For the air to move out of the alveoli, the alveolar pressure must exceed the pressure at the mouth. The pressure inside the neck of the balloon corresponds to the intraluminal airway pressure. Consequently, the alveolar pressure comprises the recoil pressure of the alveoli and the plural pressure. Also, the pressure to generate air flow decreases down the airway to the mouth (see Fig. 12-11). During a forced expiratory maneuver, the plural pressure pushes down on the alveoli and the airways. If the alveolar recoil pressure is 30 and the plural pressure is 20, the alveolar pressure is 50. The pressure inside the airway (intraluminal pressure) decreases progressively downstream toward the mouth. The EPP occurs when the intraluminal pressure is equal to the plural pressure (20 = 20); from that point, the plural pressure exceeds the intraluminal pressure and dynamic compression of the airway occurs. Total collapse of the airways from the EPP and the mouth does not normally occur because of the compliance of the airways. Physiologically, the dynamic compression reduces the airways radius and thus results in an increase in flow rates in the compressed area that aids physiologic mechanisms, such as the cough maneuver, to sheer and expel secretions and mucus out of the airways.⁵

FIG. 12-11 Pressure changes in the chest and lung during inspiration and forced expiration. The pleural pressure around the airways is usually negative (less than atmospheric). During inspiration, the chest wall expands and there is a greater negative pleural pressure, drawing air into the airways. At forced expiration, the pleural pressure may become positive, forcing air out. The equal pressure point (EPP) is where airway pressure equals pleural pressure.

(From Naish J: Medical sciences, St. Louis, 2009, Saunders.)

In the patient with highly compliant airways (i.e., with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the dynamic compression can completely close the airways. The air that is trapped increases the FRC and becomes dead space. The harder the patient tries to expel air, the greater the plural pressure becomes and more dynamic compression occurs; thus a vicious cycle ensues. Interventions to help these patients move air out of the lungs are focused on a reduction of the amount of dynamic compression on the airways. The interventions are to increase the expiratory time and provide physiologic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Lengthening of the expiratory time aids in reduction of the amount of positive plural pressure on the airways, and physiologic PEEP enhances the airway’s intraluminal pressure in the highly compliant airways. In the awake patient with highly compliant airways, abdominal breathing prolongs the expiratory time and pursed-lip breathing provides physiologic PEEP. In the patient who is anesthetized, prolonging the expiratory time (i.e., inspiration:expiration ratio of 1:3) on the ventilator and use of physiologic PEEP (i.e., 5 cm/H₂O) aids in moving air out of the airways.

Mechanical features of the chest wall

Because of its elastic properties, the chest wall always springs out or recoils outward, seeking a larger resting volume. The resting volume of the lungs alone is less than the RV, and the resting volume of the chest wall is approximately 60% of the VC.

The action of the chest wall can be illustrated with the analogy of a wire screen attached around a balloon. The wire screen tends to spring outward so that the screen pulls the balloon open at lower balloon volumes. A measure of the pressure at the mouth of the balloon reflects a negative number. At approximately 60% of the total capacity of the balloon, the screen no longer tends to spring outward. At that point, the addition of air causes the screen to push down on the balloon—a reflection of a positive pressure at the mouth of the balloon. The screen around the balloon can be likened to the chest wall. As shown in Fig. 12-12, at lower lung volumes, the chest wall clearly is inclined to recoil outward, thus creating a negative pressure. At approximately 60% of the VC, the chest wall starts to push down on the lungs, thus creating a positive pressure. The result of the interplay between the chest wall’s strong tendency to spring outward and the lung’s strong tendency to recoil inward is the subatmospheric pleural pressure.⁵

FIG. 12-12 Pressure-volume curve of chest wall during deflation going from TLC to RV. Positive pressures of the chest wall represent pressures that tend to decrease lung size, and negative pressures represent pressures that tend to increase lung volume because of outward recoil tendency of chest wall at approximately 60% of vital capacity or less. TLC, Total lung capacity; RV, residual volume.

(From Drain C: Physiology of the respiratory system related to anesthesia. CRNA 7:163–180, 1996.)

Pleural pressure can become positive during a cough or other forced expiratory maneuvers. Pneumothorax can occur when the chest wall is opened or when air is injected into the pleural cavity. With this occurrence, the lungs collapse because they naturally recoil to a smaller position; the ribs flare outward because of their natural inclination to recoil outward. Clinically, inspection of a patient with a pneumothorax may reveal protruding ribs on the affected side.

The two types of pneumothorax are open (simple) and closed (tension). Simple pneumothorax occurs when air flow into the pleural space results in a positive pleural pressure. The lungs collapse because the recoil pressure is not counterbalanced with the negative pleural pressure. Treatment for a pneumothorax can be conservative or more aggressive, depending on the type and amount of pneumothorax. Aggressive treatment consists of the insertion of chest tubes into the pleural space to recreate the negative pleural pressure. This maneuver reestablishes normal ventilatory excursions. In most instances, the air leak between the lung and the pleural space seals after the chest tubes have been removed. If air continues to flow into the intrapleural space but cannot escape, the intrapleural pressure continually increases with each succeeding inspiration. Like a one-way valve, pressure increases and a tension pneumothorax develops. In a brief period, as the intrapleural pressure increases, the affected lung is compressed and puts a great amount of pressure on the mediastinum. Hypoxemia and reduction in cardiac output result, and if treatment is not instituted immediately, the patient may die. Treatment consists of immediate evacuation of the excess air from the intrapleural space with either chest tubes or a large-bore needle. A tension pneumothorax is truly a medical emergency.²