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This small study from South Africa shows stab wounds to the chest with a pneumothorax less than 0.5 cm that were managed conservatively had completely resolved on 12 hour repeat chest X-ray. This could facilitate earlier discharge of these patients. It also supports conservative (non-tube placement) approach to asymptomatic small pneumothoraces from stab wounds.
References
Kong V, Cheung C, Lee D, et al. Defining the optimal timing of interval chest radiograph in conservatively managed small pneumothorax from thoracic stab wounds – a South African experience. Trauma. 2025;28(1):14-17. doi:10.1177/14604086251396434