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.