21st February 2025

A 24-year-old builder presents to A&E with left-sided chest pain following a fall from a ladder at work.

A 24-year-old builder presents to A&E with left-sided chest pain following a fall from a ladder at work. He does not report any breathlessness. He has no significant past medical history but is a smoker with a 5-pack-year smoking history. Examination reveals bruising over the left chest wall and a chest X-ray demonstrates fractures of the 5th and 6th ribs on the left with an associated 1cm pneumothorax. 

What is the most appropriate next step in management? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.