A device is disclosed for the treatment of pneumothorax especially in neonates, which is an acute pathologic condition characterized by the extrapulmonic accumulation of air in the pleural space, causing restricted lung expansion and threatening to significantly worsen in a short period of time without intervention. Intervention in this case involves the simple one-hand introduction of a catheter-sheathed stylet through the chest wall as part of a compact device which contains a one-way valve outside the chest for the stat evacuation of the intrathoracic air or fluid. The device is capable of secure fixation to the chest wall until deemed no longer needed at which point it is quickly removable. The thoracic cavity is entered by a stylet which is surrounded by a catheter, the catheter lumen continuous with that of a lumenized dome which communicates with at least one upper port and one-way valving. One port is configured to allow Luer-Lok suction in the event of pleural effusion or hemothorax. The proposed device is small enough to allow easy one-hand application, does not require a scalpel incision, is economical by virtue of unified molding of major components, and can be readily secured to the chest wall. While the device was conceived with neonatal emergencies in mind, it can be scaled up in size for larger patients.
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