Talk:Occlusive dressing

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Occlusive dressing and open pneumothorax

Normal occlusive dressings should not be used in cases of open pneumothorax. Sure, they prevent air from reaching the pleural space from outside, but they do not allow the air out. And if there's an open pneumothorax, it's likely that the lung itself is damaged and air is escaping from it to the pleural space. The air will then accumulate, worsening the pneumothorax.

Instead, chest seals should be used. They act as a valve, preventing outside air from getting in, but letting air in the pleural space vent to the outside. I am not sure if in English medical terminology a chest seal is considered a type of occlusive dressing or a separate type of non-occlusive dressing. There are multiple types of chest seals; the Asherman seal is specifically named in Pneumothorax#Treatment, but others can be used too. --134.191.197.174 (talk) 15:42, 12 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]