What department should I go to for pneumothorax?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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What department is pneumothorax treated in? For pneumothorax, we commonly see patients first in the emergency department, as the onset of pneumothorax is generally very sudden and the condition can be quite severe. The patient may suddenly experience difficulty breathing, and in most cases, this breathing difficulty is severe. Therefore, patients typically start by seeing the emergency internal medicine department. The doctors there will assess the patient’s condition and will consult with thoracic and cardiovascular surgery and respiratory medicine. If a closed thoracic drainage tube is needed, our surgeons will immediately perform the drainage. If the patient can be treated conservatively, they are usually then transferred to either respiratory medicine or thoracic and cardiovascular surgery for further treatment.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
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Pneumothorax is caused by what?

Pneumothorax is caused by the entry of air into the pleural cavity, leading to a series of changes. Pneumothorax can be divided into spontaneous and traumatic pneumothorax. Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs without trauma or other causes, while traumatic pneumothorax is caused by direct or indirect trauma to the pleura. Spontaneous pneumothorax can be further categorized into primary and secondary pneumothorax. Patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax do not have underlying lung disease, whereas secondary pneumothorax is a complication of lung disease, commonly seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Traumatic pneumothorax includes iatrogenic pneumothorax, which occurs during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
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Pneumothorax tracheal shift to which side?

When a patient suffers a pneumothorax, the trachea is displaced to the opposite side, and the heart is also shifted to the opposite side. In cases of left-sided pneumothorax, the heart's dullness boundary and the upper boundary of the liver during right-sided pneumothorax are both undetectable. There can be manifestations of subcutaneous emphysema in the neck, chest, and even the head and abdomen. The patient may exhibit diminished respiratory movements and a significant reduction or absence of breath sounds. When a small amount of air accumulates in the pleural cavity, weakened breath sounds on the affected side may be the only suspicious sign.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Can pneumothorax patients take a plane?

Pneumothorax is a relatively common clinical condition, usually caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity. Patients often experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing. So, can someone with pneumothorax fly on an airplane? Patients with pneumothorax are prohibited from flying because the high altitude may aggravate the condition, leading to serious consequences. Even after pneumothorax has healed, it is advised not to fly within a year, as flying may cause the pneumothorax to recur.

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Written by Hao Ze Rui
Pulmonology
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What are the main signs of pneumothorax?

If it is a small amount of pneumothorax, the physical signs are generally not obvious, especially when patients with emphysema develop pneumothorax, it is difficult to detect any signs. However, when a larger amount of pneumothorax occurs, inspection will reveal that the affected side of the chest is bulging and respiratory movements are reduced. Upon palpation, the trachea usually shifts towards the healthy side, tactile fremitus on the affected side is reduced, percussion results in hyperresonance or tympany, and auscultation shows reduced breath sounds, which can disappear in severe cases.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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How long after a pneumothorax can the drainage tube be removed?

Pneumothorax occurs when the pleura ruptures and gas enters the pleural cavity. After the occurrence of pneumothorax, chest drainage by inserting a tube into the pleural cavity to remove the air is a common treatment. Generally, in most cases, after effective drainage for a few days, the lung can re-expand and the rupture can heal. Under these circumstances, it is common to clamp the drainage tube and observe for about two days. Then, a chest X-ray is re-examined and if there is no air, the tube can be removed. If air reappears after clamping, continued drainage is necessary. If the rupture does not heal and pneumothorax remains unresolved even after two weeks of drainage, and if the patient's physical condition allows, surgical treatment may be considered.