Design of reconfigurable on-chip wireless interconnections through Optical Phased Arrays.

In this paper we report the design of a device allowing on-chip optical wireless interconnections, based on transmitting and receiving Optical Phased Arrays (OPA). The proposed device aims at realizing high-bandwidth and power-efficient reconfigurable connections between multiple nodes, e.g. chiplets stacked onto a common silicon interposer in 2.5D manycore systems. The communication through an optical wireless switch is a completely novel approach to overcome the bottleneck of wired communication and to provide flexibility in the network topology configuration. We report the OPA design criteria as well as the results of three-dimensional Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations. We exploit the in-plane radiation of simple taper antennas to implement 1×N and N × N switching matrices. The effect of the multipath propagation in the on-chip multi-layered medium is also taken into account.

An All-in-One Dual Band Blade Antenna for ADS-B and 5G Communications in UAV Assisted Wireless Networks.

This paper is aimed at the characterization and manufacturing of an SMA coaxial fed compact blade antenna with dual frequency characteristics for broadband applications on board of Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). This antenna is linearly polarized, and it combines the benefits of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and 5th Generation (5G) communications in one single element, covering both the 1.030-1.090 GHz and the 3.4-3.8 GHz bands thanks to a bent side and a 'C' shaped slot within the radiation element. Starting from the simulation outcomes on an ideal ground plane, the results are here extended to a bent ground plane and on two UAV commercial CAD models. Details of manufacturing of the antenna in both aluminium and FR-4 substrate materials are presented. The comparison between measurements and simulations is discussed in terms of return loss, bandwidth, gain, and radiation pattern. Results show an antenna with a low profile and a simple structure that can be employed in various wideband communication systems, suiting future UAV assisted 5G networks while being perfectly compliant with forthcoming ADS-B based Detect-And-Avoid (DAA) technologies in Unmanned Aerial Traffic Management (UTM).

HABITAT: An IoT Solution for Independent Elderly.

In this work, a flexible and extensive digital platform for Smart Homes is presented, exploiting the most advanced technologies of the Internet of Things, such as Radio Frequency Identification, wearable electronics, Wireless Sensor Networks, and Artificial Intelligence. Thus, the main novelty of the paper is the system-level description of the platform flexibility allowing the interoperability of different smart devices. This research was developed within the framework of the operative project HABITAT (Home Assistance Based on the Internet of Things for the Autonomy of Everybody), aiming at developing smart devices to support elderly people both in their own houses and in retirement homes, and embedding them in everyday life objects, thus reducing the expenses for healthcare due to the lower need for personal assistance, and providing a better life quality to the elderly users.

Chirp evaluation of semiconductor DFB lasers through a simple Interferometry-Based (IB) technique.

Direct modulation of a laser source is often utilized in realizing optical fiber connections where the cost of the entire system must be kept at a low level. An undesired consequence of this choice is the onset of the laser frequency chirp effect, which is detrimental in the case of either digital or analog links, and must be evaluated with precision in order to perform an accurate design of the whole system. Various methods of evaluation of the chirp parameters have been proposed, and the choice among them is typically made on the basis of the laboratory equipment available at the moment. This paper adds a further element to the set of possible choices, since it presents a method for the evaluation of the adiabatic chirp factor in distributed feedback (DFB) laser sources, which exploits a simple interferometric scheme, guarantees low cost, and shows, at the same time, good accuracy of the results.

[Eradication of swine dysentery as modified partial depopulation in a nucleus sow breeding farm]. / Modifizierte Dysenterie-Teilsanierung in einem Kernzuchtschweinebetrieb.

On a Swiss nucleus sow breeding farm with 170 sows and 600 gilts/fatteners, an eradication of swine dysentery as modified partial depopulation was conducted in stages over a period of 12 weeks in 2011 after Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae was detected in the herd. In addition to administering oral medication (8.1 mg tiamulin per kg body weight) for 4 weeks to the pigs remaining on the farm, all stables were cleaned thoroughly and the residual slurry was disinfected with Alzogur(®) (3 l/m(3)) while the surfaces were disinfected with Venno Vet 1 Super(®) (1.5 %). At the same time rodent and fly control was intensified. Upon completion of the eradication programme, the farm was monitored for 6 months by carrying out fecal swab analyses of pigs with diarrhea. All fecal samples were negative for B. hyodysenteriae. The costs of the eradication amounted to approximately CHF 104'500. The eradication yielded significantly higher live daily weight gain (+ 23.8 g, ± 10.1 g, P < 0.0001). This improved performance resulted in an additional economic benefit of CHF 18,500 per year.

On a réalisé en 2011 dans une exploitation suisse d'élevage de porcs positive à Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae et comptant 170 truies d'élevage et 600 jeunes truies de remonte un assainissement par roulement sur une durée de 12 semaines. Outre un traitement oral de 4 semaines (8.1 mg de Tiamulin par kg de poids corporel) appliqué aux animaux restant sur l'exploitation, on a procédé à un nettoyage approfondi des locaux et on a désinfecté le lisier restant avec de l'Alzogur® (3 l/m3) et les surfaces de la porcherie avec du Venno Vet 1 Super® (1.5 %). Parallèlement on a intensifié la lutte contre les rongeurs et les mouches. Suite à cet assainissement, on a surveillé l'exploitation durant 6 mois au moyen d'écouvillons de selles prélevés chez les animaux atteints de diarrhées. On n'a plus alors constaté la présence de B. hyodysenteriae dans aucun échantillon. Les coûts de cet assainissement se sont élevés à environ CCHF 104'500.­. Ces mesures ont conduit à une prise de poids journalière significativement plus élevée (+ 23.8 g, ± 10.1 g, P < 0.0001). Cette amélioration de la productivité amenait un gain annuel supplémentaire de CHF 18'500.­.

[Experiences with pain control during piglet castration in Switzerland Part 1: Inhalation anesthesia]. / Erfahrungen zur Schmerzausschaltung bei der Ferkelkastration in der Schweiz Teil 1: Inhalationsanästhesie.

The objectives of this study were a description of the practical implementation of the painless castration under inhalational anaesthesia with an objective assessment of animal welfare, workplace safety and time exposure. 600 questionnaires were sent to farmers all over Switzerland and 100 farms were visited during castration under inhalation anaesthesia. 44 % of the visited farmers administered analgetics during anaesthesia or less than 10 minutes before castration. 14 % of the piglets were insufficiently anaesthetised (moving or vocalising) and 18 % showed stronger bleeding tendency after castration. The mortality rate was less than 0.1 %. 22 % of the swine farmers reported headache or dizziness during or after castration work. The Isoflurane level on 2 farms was above the Swiss safety limits. The time needed for castration was with 4.3 minutes clearly above the time necessary without anaesthesia. The additional financial costs and time are at the moment not adequately compensated to the farmers.

Le but de la présente étude était de décrire la mise en application en Suisse de la castration indolore des porcelets sous anesthésie par inhalation et d'étudier les aspects de protection des animaux, de sécurité à la place de travail ainsi que de l'investissement en temps pour cette castration. On a envoyé 600 questionnaires à des producteurs de porcelets dans toute la Suisse (taux de retour 40.5 %) et 100 exploitations ont été visitées lors de castrations sous anesthésie par inhalation. Sur 44 % des exploitations visitées, un analgésique était appliqué soit pendant l'anesthésie soit moins de 10 minutes avant la castration. 14 % des porcelets montraient des réactions de défense ou des vocalisations causées par la castration et 18% présentaient une tendance augmentée aux saignements après la castration. La mortalité était inférieure à 0.1 %. 22 % des exploitants mentionnaient des céphalées ou des vertiges pendant ou après les castrations. Sur deux exploitations, les concentrations limites d'isoflurane admises en Suisse étaient dépassées. Le temps nécessaire pour une castration, y compris le pré- et le postopératoire, était, avec 4,3 minute, nettement supérieur à celui nécessaire pour une castration sans anesthésie. Les producteurs ne sont actuellement pas correctement indemnisés pour les surcoûts et l'investissement supplémentaire en temps.

[Experiences with pain control during piglet castration in Switzerland Part 2: Injection anesthesia]. / Erfahrungen zur Schmerzausschaltung bei der Ferkelkastration in der Schweiz Teil 2: Injektionsanästhesie.

The aim of this study was to describe the practical implementation of the painless castration under injection anaesthesia in Switzerland. 30 swine farms were visited and 60 farmers answered a questionnaire. 34 % of the piglets showed movements during castration under injection anaesthesia and 17 % had excitations during recovery from anaesthesia. After 48 minutes half of the piglets were in sternal position and after 112 minutes half of them showed coordinated movements. The body temperature decreased by 3.1 °C until 60 minutes after castration, especially small piglets reached critical temperature levels. 38 % of the piglets showed strong bleeding after castration. The healing of the wound was good according to 82 % of the farmers. 83 % of the farmers reported piglet losses, especially at the beginning of the anaesthesia period. The anaesthesia may be improved by using butorphanol in addition to the combination of ketamine and azaperone. The recovery of the piglets should be in a warm place without any risk of injury by obstacles or the sow. Increased bleeding can be controlled by using an emasculator.

Le but de la présente étude était de juger de la mise en application en Suisse de la castration indolore des porcelets au moyen d'une anesthésie par injection. On a visite 30 exploitations choisies au hasard et 60 ont été interrogées par le biais d'un questionnaire. Lors des visites, 34 % des 371 porcelets observés ont présenté de fortes réactions de défense en relation avec la castration et 17 % une importante excitation durant la phase de réveil. Il fallait en moyenne 48 minutes pour que la moitié des animaux soient en position sternale et 112 minutes pour que la moitié puissent à nouveau marcher de façon coordonnée. La température corporelle s'abaissait en moyenne de 3.1 °C 60 minutes apres la castration, les plus petits des porcelets atteignant tout particulièrement des valeurs critiques. 38 % des porcelet saignaient fortement après la castration. La cicatrisation était bonne dans 83% des exploitations questionnées. 83 %. 83 % des exploitants se plaignaient de pertes, survenant en particulier lors de la phase de reveil. L'anesthésie avec de la kératine et de l'azaperon peut être améliorée par l'adjonction de butorphanol. Pour la phase de réveil, les porcelets doivent être placés, séparés de leur mère, dans un environnement chaud. On peut diminuer les saignement postopératoires par l'usage d'un émasculateur.

A signaling mechanism coupling netrin-1/deleted in colorectal cancer chemoattraction to SNARE-mediated exocytosis in axonal growth cones.

Directed cell migration and axonal guidance are essential steps in neural development. Both processes are controlled by specific guidance cues that activate the signaling cascades that ultimately control cytoskeletal dynamics. Another essential step in migration and axonal guidance is the regulation of plasmalemma turnover and exocytosis in leading edges and growth cones. However, the cross talk mechanisms linking guidance receptors and membrane exocytosis are not understood. Netrin-1 is a chemoattractive cue required for the formation of commissural pathways. Here, we show that the Netrin-1 receptor deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) forms a protein complex with the t-SNARE (target SNARE) protein Syntaxin-1 (Sytx1). This interaction is Netrin-1 dependent both in vitro and in vivo, and requires specific Sytx1 and DCC domains. Blockade of Sytx1 function by using botulinum toxins abolished Netrin-1-dependent chemoattraction of axons in mouse neuronal cultures. Similar loss-of-function experiments in the chicken spinal cord in vivo using dominant-negative Sytx1 constructs or RNAi led to defects in commissural axon pathfinding reminiscent to those described in Netrin-1 and DCC loss-of-function models. We also show that Netrin-1 elicits exocytosis at growth cones in a Sytx1-dependent manner. Moreover, we demonstrate that the Sytx1/DCC complex associates with the v-SNARE (vesicle SNARE) tetanus neurotoxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein (TI-VAMP) and that knockdown of TI-VAMP in the commissural pathway in the spinal cord results in aberrant axonal guidance phenotypes. Our data provide evidence of a new signaling mechanism that couples chemotropic Netrin-1/DCC axonal guidance and Sytx1/TI-VAMP SNARE proteins regulating membrane turnover and exocytosis.

Syntaxin 1 is required for DCC/Netrin-1-dependent chemoattraction of migrating neurons from the lower rhombic lip.

Directed cell migration and axonal guidance are essential steps in neural development that share many molecular mechanisms. The guidance of developing axons and migrating neurons is likely to depend on the precise control of plasmalemma turnover in selected regions of leading edges and growth cones, respectively. Previous results provided evidence of a signaling mechanism that couples chemotropic deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC)/Netrin-1 axonal guidance and exocytosis through Syntaxin1(Sytx1)/TI-VAMP SNARE proteins. Here we studied whether Netrin-1-dependent neuronal migration relies on a similar SNARE mechanism. We show that migrating neurons in the lower rhombic lip (LRL) express several SNARE proteins, and that DCC co-associates with Sytx1 and TI-VAMP in these cells. We also demonstrate that cleavage of Sytx1 by botulinum toxin C1 (BoNT/C1) abolishes Netrin-1-dependent chemoattraction of migrating neurons, and that interference of Sytx1 functions with shRNAs or Sytx1-dominant negatives disrupts Netrin-1-dependent chemoattraction of LRL neurons. These findings indicate that a Sytx1/DCC interaction is required for Netrin-1 guidance of migrating neurons, thereby highlighting a relationship between guidance signaling and SNARE proteins that regulate membrane turnover.

Primary care pathway- a novel way to reduce the burden on orthopaedic fracture clinics within the pediatric subgroup: A Queensland multi-centered review.

ABSTRACT: Emergency departments receive an increasing amount of musculoskeletal injuries, with the majority referred to a fracture clinic (FCs). A literature review revealed certain orthopaedic injuries can be safely managed away from the FC pathway by general practitioners (GPs) or allied health professionals (AHPs). The present study aims to review all paediatric presentations to FCs at 2 Queensland hospitals, identifying low risk injuries that could potentially be managed by GPs or AHPs. This study is a continuation from Cleary et al in which a primary care pathway (PCP) was proposed for the management of low risk adult orthopaedic injuries. A PCP has the potential to have significant savings to the health system.A retrospective study was conducted looking at paediatric patients (<16 years) referrals to 2 FCs over 8 weeks. Injuries were categorised into those requiring FC care supervised by an orthopaedic surgeon, and those that can be safely managed by GPs or AHPs via a PCP.Four hundred ninety (57.7%) of the 849 patients referred to FC were assessed as suitable for PCP care. The most common upper limb injury deemed suitable was radius and ulna buckle fractures (18.4%), while the most common lower limb injury is ankle sprains (8%). Total failure to attend rate in the PCP group was 6.7%.Adopting the PCP has the potential to significantly reduce FC referrals. With proven success of similar pathways abroad, the PCP may generate significant time and financial savings for both the health care system and patient.

Validation of the Primary Care Pathway Model for Management of Orthopedic Injuries: Results of a Prospective, Queensland Study.

OBJECTIVE: A "virtual fracture clinic" (VFC) is viewed as a safe, cost effective method of managing suitable low risk orthopedic injuries without direct orthopedic review. This method is used throughout the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) and National Health System (NHS) as a cornerstone for efficient patient care. This study assessed the outcomes of a newly implemented Queensland based Primary Care Pathway (PCP) for management of simple orthopedic injuries. METHODS: A prospective cohort was formed of patients presenting over a 4-week period with an acute orthopedic injury to either the Emergency Department (ED) or Primary Care Providers within the Logan Hospital catchment in Queensland, Australia. Patients were triaged to either a PCP management protocol with General Practitioners (GP), Allied-Health Professionals (AHP) or to a traditional in-person Fracture Clinic (FC) orthopedic review. Patients were followed for 6-months. Data were collected about epidemiology, complications, appropriate allocation, and injury type. RESULTS: A total of 1283 patients were referred over the study period, of which 267 were triaged to PCP management. ED referrals accounted for 62.5% of appropriate referrals to either clinic. Upper limb injuries were the most common conditions managed through the PCP. Patients managed by the PCP model of care experienced a 4.29% complication rate over the 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The PCP model of care is effective in managing criteria specific, low risk orthopedic injuries with a low rate of complications (4.29%) without direct orthopedic FC review. Use of a PCP reduces demand on hospital resources, and provides a safe, cost-effective alternative to a resource-restricted outpatient service.

Syntaxin-1/TI-VAMP SNAREs interact with Trk receptors and are required for neurotrophin-dependent outgrowth.

SNARE proteins are essential components of the machinery that regulates vesicle trafficking and exocytosis. Their role is critical for the membrane-fusion processes that occur during neurotransmitter release. However, research in the last decade has also unraveled the relevance of these proteins in membrane expansion and cytoskeletal rearrangements during developmental processes such as neuronal migration and growth cone extension and attraction. Neurotrophins are neurotrophic factors that are required for many cellular functions throughout the brain, including neurite outgrowth and guidance, synaptic formation, and plasticity. Here we show that neurotrophin Trk receptors form a specific protein complex with the t-SNARE protein Syntaxin 1, both in vivo and in vitro. We also demonstrate that blockade of Syntaxin 1 abolishes neurotrophin-dependent growth of axons in neuronal cultures and decreases exocytotic events at the tip of axonal growth cones. 25-kDa soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein and Vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 do not participate in the formation of this SNARE complex, while tetanus neurotoxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein interacts with Trk receptors; knockdown of this (v) SNARE impairs Trk-dependent outgrowth. Taken together, our results support the notion that an atypical SNARE complex comprising Syntaxin 1 and tetanus neurotoxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein is required for axonal neurotrophin function.

Screening for activated protein C resistance before oral contraceptive treatment: a pilot study.

The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of screening women for congenital thrombophilic alterations before oral contraceptive (OC) treatment was investigated. A total of 525 women (mean age 21.9 years, 73% aged < 25 years) were examined before their first OC course. At first screening, completely normal results were recorded in 485 (92.4%) women, the remaining showing single (n = 34) or multiple (n = 6) alterations. At second examination (possible in 37 of 40), activated protein C resistance (APCR) was confirmed in 21 cases (4.0%, 18 with factor V Leiden), protein C, or protein S reduction in 8 (1.5%) and 2 (0.4%) cases, respectively. No cases with antithrombin III deficiency were detected. The global estimated cost ($US) to detect one altered case was: $7795 for protein S, $2696 for antithrombin III (no case found), $1374 for protein C and $433 for APCR. The present study confirms that extensive thrombophilic screening before OC treatment is not currently advisable. APCR assessment, however, seems to have a favorable cost-effectiveness ratio: the alteration is frequent and has a synergistic effect with OC; sensibility and specificity of some methods are good; family history is unreliable to single out possible carriers; finally, carriers can be fully informed of their increased thrombotic risk if treated with OC and can receive thromboprophylaxis during life situations associated with high thrombotic risk (e.g., pregnancy and puerperium).

PIP: This article investigates the feasibility and cost effectiveness of screening women for congenital thrombophilic changes before oral contraceptive (OC) treatment. The study population included 525 women who were examined before their first OC course between September 1995 and May 1997 in Bologna, Italy. A completely normal result was seen in 92.4% women during the first screening, which was conducted before the first OC course. The second examination showed that activated protein C resistance (APCR) was confirmed in 21 cases (4.0%, 18 with factor V Leiden), and protein C and protein S reduction in 8 (1.5%) and 2 (0.4%) cases, respectively. Antithrombin III deficiency cases were not detected. The detection of one altered case is estimated to cost $7795 for protein S, $2696 for antithrombin III, $1374 for protein C, and $433 for APCR. The study confirmed that extensive thrombophilic screening before OC treatment was not advisable. However, APCR assessment was found to be cost-effective. The alteration was frequent and APCR had a synergistic effect with OC, and the sensibility and specificity of some methods for detection of APCR are good. Family history is not reliable for identifying possible carriers for the thrombophilic trait. Carriers can be fully informed of their high risk if treated with OC and can receive thromboprophylaxis in conditions where thrombotic risk is high.

[Hypothalamic phospholipid liposomes in the treatment of the climacteric syndrome]. / I liposomi di fosfolipidi ipotalamici nel trattamento della sindrome climaterica.

Phospholipid liposomes have a dopaminergic effect on the human brain. Changes in prolactin and growth hormone secretion have been observed in humans given phospholipid liposomes. The authors have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of hypothalamic phospholipids in the menopausal syndrome. The study was an open trial on 37 outpatients treated with 1 and 2 ampoules i.m. of a preparation of phospholipids (in the form of unilamellar liposomes) for a period of six months. The therapeutic effects were assessed by means of the Hamilton rating scale, MMPI (Minnesota multiphasic inventory test), and a list of psychosomatic symptoms (LSP). In the patients no change in FSH, LH, PRL, or E2 secretion was observed, whereas the neurotic symptomatology appeared remarkably reduced.

Evaluation of biochemical methods for estimating the sodium intake of dairy cows.

Samples of blood and urine were taken from 334 dairy cows in 29 herds, and the concentrations of sodium and potassium were measured in the serum and urine. The herds were split into five groups according to the amount of supplementary salt they were given: three groups given 10 to 20, 30 to 50 or 70 to 100 g salt per day, and two groups fed an ad libitum supply, given either in bowls or in the form of salt blocks, which were replaced either regularly or irregularly. The groups which received 70 to 100 g of salt daily or were supplied regularly ad libitum had significantly higher urinary sodium concentrations than the other groups. The group receiving 10 to 20 g a day had a significantly higher ratio of potassium:sodium in their urine than all the other groups, in which the ratio decreased as the level of supplementary salt increased. There were wider differences between the groups in terms of the urinary potassium:sodium ratio than in terms of the urinary sodium concentration but less variability within each group.

[Multifactorial effect of intrinsic animal factors, season and herd effect on the parameter of metabolic profile in dairy cows: energy and protein metabolism]. / Multifaktorieller Einfluss von tiereigenen Faktoren, Jahreszeit und Betrieb auf die Parameter des metabolischen Profils bei Milchkühen: Energie- und Protein-Stoffwechsel.

In this study, we investigated in a multivariate approach the multifactorial relationships between intrinsic factors, season, time of sampling during the year, and herd effect on one side, and selected biochemical markers of the energy and protein metabolism on the other side. A total of 370 cows (158 in summer and 212 in winter) were investigated within 0-160 days post partum. The following metabolites were chosen: glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, b-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol and urea. Multiple linear regression models with only intrinsic factors had generally low coefficients of determination (r2). Season had a significant effect on all metabolites excepted glucose, but introduction of this factor in the models did not increase r2 markedly. Herd effect was highly significant for all blood parameters. Despite the reduction of the number of cases, models within season showed higher r2 than the overall models. This leads to the conclusion that, according to the season, some factors have different effects which neutralize themselves during the whole year. Many interactions herd x factors were significant for each metabolite. This means that the effect of the factors is different among herds. These interactions were especially strong for glucose, b-hydroxybutyrate and urea nitrogen, which usually show short-term responses to feeding changes. The regression models showed generally high coefficients of determination. It is concluded that these factors and interactions have to be introduced as covariates in models designed to investigate the relationships between biochemical markers and clinical findings.

Neumotórax espontáneo en embarazada: Reporte de un caso tratado por videotoracoscopia y revisión de la literatura / Spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy: case report of a patient treated with videothoracoscopy and literature review

RESUMEN El neumotórax espontáneo primario es la presencia de aire en la cavidad pleural como consecuencia de la ruptura de bulas o blebs subpleurales en un pulmón que por otro lado está sano y sin antecedentes traumáticos. Es más frecuente en hombres que en mujeres y es raro en el embarazo, habiéndose publicado menos de 60 casos en la literatura. El objetivo es reportar un neumotórax espontáneo en una embarazada y realizar una revisión del tema. El caso corresponde a una mujer de 19 años, primigestante que presenta un neumotórax espontáneo primario tratado inicialmente con pleurotomía, el cual evoluciona satisfactoriamente, pero a las 24 horas ser retirada esta, presenta recidiva por lo que se realiza videotoracoscopia con resección de bulas y pleurodesis. Evoluciona adecuadamente, se da de alta en buenas condiciones y posteriormente lleva a cabo su trabajo de parto vaginal sin complicaciones. El tratamiento del neumotórax en el embarazo es igual al de los pacientes no obstétricos. Los neumotórax espontáneos recurrentes, los persistentes, los con fuga aérea por el tubo más allá del cuarto día y los bilaterales son indicaciones de procedimiento quirúrgico por toracotomía o videotoracoscopia. Se debe considerar el diagnóstico en cualquier embarazada con dolor torácico agudo, disnea súbita o antecedentes de neumotórax previo y este debe ser confirmado con radiografía de tórax con la adecuada protección del feto. Su reconocimiento y manejo es esencial para evitar complicaciones a la madre y al feto. El tratamiento quirúrgico por videotoracoscopia fue seguro en este caso. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(3):101-5.

ABSTRACT Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural cavity as a consequence of a rupture of bullae or subpleural blebs in an otherwise healthy lung, without a clear history of trauma. Is more frequent in men than in women, and rarely presents during pregnancy, less than 60 cases has been reported in literature. The objective is to report the case of a 19-year-old primiparous woman who presents spontaneous pneumothorax treated initially with pleurostomy. Initial evolution is satisfactory, but 24 hours after withdrawal of chest tube, patient recurs. Patient is managed with videothoracoscopic bullectomy followed by pleurodesis. The procedure was well tolerated and is discharged in optimum condition and subsequently goes into labor, giving birth without any complications. In conclusion, treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy can be safely managed in the same way as non-obstetric patients. Recurring, persistent, or with air leak beyond 4 days and bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax, are indication for thoracic surgery. The diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax must be considered in any pregnant woman with acute thoracic pain, sudden onset dyspnoea and past medical history of it. The diagnosis must be confirmed with chest X ray, considering fetus protecting measures. Recognition and opportune treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in the pregnant woman is essential to avoid maternal or fetal complications. Videothoracoscopic treatment has been proven safe in this case. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(3):101-5.