What is the indication for the use of a chest seal?

The use of a chest seal is indicated primarily for managing an open pneumothorax, also known as a "sucking chest wound." In this situation, there is a breach in the pleural space due to an injury that allows air to enter the thoracic cavity with each respiratory effort. If the opening is not sealed, it can lead to the collapse of the lung on the affected side, known as a tension pneumothorax, and significantly compromise the patient's ability to breathe.

The chest seal effectively creates a one-way valve that allows air to escape from the pleural cavity during exhalation while preventing external air from entering during inhalation. This helps to stabilize the intrathoracic pressure and allows for the potential re-expansion of the lung.

In contrast, managing a closed pneumothorax does not require a chest seal since there is no external wound that needs to be occluded; the injury will typically resolve on its own. Rib fractures, while painful and potentially complicating breathing, do not necessitate a chest seal as the primary treatment focus is pain management and monitoring. Pneumonia, which is an infectious process within the lung, cannot be addressed with a chest seal, as it does not pertain to