The Incidence, Characteristics and Outcomes of Pneumothorax in Thai Surgical Intensive Care Units (Thai-SICU Study)
Sujaree Poopipatpab MD*1, Konlawij Trongtrakul MD*2, Chompunoot Pathonsamit MD*1, Siriporn Siraklow MD*1, Ploynapas Limphunudom MD*1, Kaweesak Chittawatanarat MD*3, the THAI-SICU study group
Affiliation : *1 Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand *2 Division of Critical Care, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand *3 Department of Surgery, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Objective : To identify incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of pneumothorax among patients who specifically stayed in
surgical intensive care units (SICUs).
Material and Method: This was a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted in 9 University-affiliated SICUs in
Thailand. Incidence of pneumothorax and its outcomes were evaluated from April 2011 to January 2013.
Results : 4,652 patients who were admitted to SICU were enrolled. The incidence of pneumothorax was 0.5% (25 cases) in our
study. Significant characteristics were found in the pneumothorax group, including: lower BMI, underlying malignancy and
COPD, higher APACHE-II and SOFA score within 24 hours of first ICU admission, pulmonary infiltration pattern of chest
imaging and usage of mechanical ventilation. In terms of outcome, there were higher SICU mortality and 28-day hospital
mortality in pneumothorax than non-pneumothorax patients at 28.0% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.002 and at 44.0% vs. 13.6%, p<0.001,
respectively.
Conclusion : Patients admitted to surgical intensive care units who developed pneumothorax had higher risk of intensive care
unit mortality and 28-day hospital mortality than non-pneumothorax patients, as well as a longer intensive care unit and
hospital length of stays.
Keywords : Pneumothorax, Surgical intensive care unit, Characteristics, Outcomes
