What is the most common cause of tension pneumothorax?

The most common cause of tension pneumothorax is chest trauma. When a chest injury occurs, it can create a one-way valve effect in the pleural space. This allows air to enter the pleural cavity during inhalation but prevents it from escaping during exhalation. As air continues to accumulate in the pleural space, it leads to increased pressure, which can compress the lung and important structures within the thoracic cavity, including the heart and major vessels.

While aggressive bagging can contribute to the development of a pneumothorax, it is not the primary cause of tension pneumothorax. Bagging can inflate the lungs and may lead to excessive intrathoracic pressure, but it is typically the underlining cause of trauma or injury that results in the one-way valve mechanism that defines tension pneumothorax. Airway obstruction and infection are not direct causes of tension pneumothorax either; they can lead to other complications but do not create the specific conditions necessary for developing tension pneumothorax. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective diagnosis and management in trauma care.