Physiotherapy Following Water Seal Drainage in Left Pneumothorax: A Case Report

Erika Miftahurrizqia; Isna Herawati; Ririt Ika Lestari

doi:10.24843/

Penulis

Erika Miftahurrizqia Professional Program in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia Penulis
Isna Herawati Professional Program in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia Penulis
Ririt Ika Lestari Department of Physiotherapy, dr. Ario Wirawan Lung Hospital, Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia Penulis

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24843/

Kata Kunci:

Pneumothorax, Physical Therapy Modalities, Breathing Exercises, Thoracic Drainage, Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Abstrak

Background: Pneumothorax is a respiratory emergency characterized by air accumulation within the pleural cavity, leading to impaired lung expansion and gas exchange. Elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiopulmonary comorbidities frequently experience persistent respiratory dysfunction following water seal drainage (WSD).
Objective: This case report aimed to describe the short-term clinical outcomes of physiotherapy interventions in an elderly patient with left pneumothorax following WSD placement.
Methods: A single-patient case report was conducted in a 68-year-old male with left pneumothorax, COPD, and pulmonary heart disease on the fourth day after WSD insertion. The patient received oxygen therapy via nasal cannula at 5 L/min. Physiotherapy interventions included diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, and gentle chest physiotherapy administered over three sessions during a three-week observation period. Outcomes included oxygen saturation (SpO₂), respiratory rate, Borg Scale, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), thoracic expansion, and Barthel Index.
Results: SpO₂ increased from 92% to 95%, while respiratory rate decreased from 28 to 24 breaths/minute. Dyspnea decreased from Borg Scale 5/10 to 4/10, and chest pain decreased from NRS 5/10 to 4/10. Thoracic expansion improved minimally, whereas the Barthel Index remained 25/100, indicating severe dependence. No adverse events were observed.
Conclusion: Physiotherapy interventions were associated with short-term respiratory improvement following WSD placement in an elderly patient with left pneumothorax. However, functional improvement was not observed during the short observation period.