Pneumataceles

Jolie, BSN · Mar 26, 2004

Hi Everyone:rolleyes:
Does anyone have any advice about Pneumataceles(Lung Cysts).
MY son Corey who is still in hospital after 5 months(he was 3 months premature) may have to have one drained because it is continuing to grow and they do not want it to rupture.
Is the procedure very dangerous? They are not very keen to do it in case he gets a Pneumothorax.
Please can you tell me what the procedure involves?
Thanks
Catherine xxx

I'm sorry to hear that your precious little guy has had such a hard time. I will keep you both in my prayers.

I've never cared for a baby who has had this procedure, and would strongly encourage you to sit down with the baby's doctor and primary nurse for a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits. Let us know what happens, and best wishes to you!

iceNICUnurse · Mar 26, 2004

There was one baby with this in my unit a few monts ago. They had to take a little part of the lung away. The baby did fine, was on a ventilator for 3 days and now he is a happy baby with no complications as far as I know.

Good luck with your little one!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2004

We also had a baby with something similar about two years ago. I believe they didn't just remove the cyst, but a small part of the lung as well. She had pretty damaged lungs, but as soon as they removed the cystic area, she improved dramatically! She had been vented for 3 months, and was finally able to go to a nasal cannula a week after the procedure.

Good luck with your little guy! :)

SURFnNURSE · Apr 3, 2004

We have a baby in the unit right now that had a cyst. The surgeon actually ruptured it during PDA surgery! This did not help for long. After multiple pneumo's and chest tubes (1-2 every 4 hrs), they decided to remove part of the lung including the cyst. After 3 days we were able to wean from the vent to cpap. she is still on cpap, but she is now only 900gms.