Introduction:
Acupuncture is an alternative medical therapy that has grown in
popularity. Acupuncture’s widespread use has increased the demand for
reliable information on safety concerns (1).
Acupuncture-related complications are uncommon, but they range from
minor side effects like local pain and hemorrhage to more serious
complications like infection transmission (hepatitis B and C, HIV
infection), pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, vascular lesions, and
spinal cord injuries (2).
Postmortem examinations revealed that a 10-20 mm deep puncture is
sufficient to reach the lung because its surface is about 15-20 mm
beneath the skin (3). Acupuncture complications are more
commonly reported by those who manage them than by the acupuncturist
(2). Only 20% of the reports were written
by the acupuncturist who performed the procedure that caused the adverse
effect (4).
With the widespread use of acupuncture, there is a greater need for
reliable information on safety concerns. Because acupuncture is a
growing alternative medical therapy, raising awareness of the potential
complications of this invasive procedure is essential. Reporting
acupuncture-related complications can help with patient education,
awareness, and the need for an accredited and registered professional.
We present a case of tension pneumothorax following acupuncture, which
is a potentially fatal complication.