Which procedure is standard for treating tension pneumothorax?

Needle decompression is the standard initial treatment for tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when air enters the pleural space and cannot escape, leading to increased pressure and potentially fatal respiratory and cardiovascular compromise. This procedure involves using a large-bore needle, typically inserted into the second intercostal space at the midclavicular line on the affected side. The purpose of this intervention is to rapidly release the trapped air and restore normal intrathoracic pressure, allowing for improved lung expansion and cardiovascular function.

The urgency of a tension pneumothorax situation necessitates a prompt response, making needle decompression a critical lifesaving measure. Following needle decompression, definitive treatment often includes the placement of a chest tube to facilitate continuous drainage of pleural air or fluid.

In contrast, the other options present treatment modalities that are better suited for different clinical scenarios. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is more complex and typically reserved for surgical interventions in various thoracic conditions, rather than as an immediate response to tension pneumothorax. Thoracoscopic pleurodesis is a procedure used to manage recurrent pleural effusions or pneumothoraces, but it is not an emergency treatment. Conservative management is also inappropriate in