A rare cause of air-leak syndrome in a premature newborn: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary complications, such as airway leak syndrome, are common in preterm neonates; however, bronchial rupture is a rarely seen phenomenon. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, we present a preterm newborn who developed pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. The pneumothorax persisted, despite placement of a thorax tube, requiring a thoracotomy to detect and treat the bronchial rupture. CONCLUSION: Physicians should have a high suspicion of bronchial rupture in patients with persistent air leak syndrome, even after thorax tube placement and continuous negative pressure implementation.