How is pneumothorax treated?

Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The treatment of pneumothorax aims to promote the reexpansion of the affected lung and reduce recurrence, while considering the possibility of eliminating the cause of the disease. Treatment measures include non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical measures include observation, thoracic puncture for air evacuation, closed thoracic drainage, and pleural fixation. Surgical treatments include thoracoscopic surgery and open chest surgery. Choices should be made based on the type and frequency of occurrence of the pneumothorax, the degree of compression, the state of the condition, and the presence of complications, etc. Most patients can be cured through non-surgical treatment, while only a minority, approximately 10%-20% of patients, require surgical treatment.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
45sec home-news-image

What position should be taken for pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax occurs when the pleura ruptures and gas enters the pleural cavity, often compressing the lung tissue. Patients may experience symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, and coughing. The choice of lying position for patients with pneumothorax depends on the severity of the pneumothorax and the degree of chest tightness. If the pneumothorax is mild and the symptoms are not obvious, the patient can lie flat. If there is significant chest tightness, a semi-recumbent position may be adopted. If the chest tightness is severe and the patient has significant difficulty breathing, they often assume a sitting position, frequently struggling to breathe, sweating profusely, and may even experience respiratory failure, requiring immediate attention.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Foods to avoid with pneumothorax

We know that the lung tissue of a normal person is like a balloon. When breathing, this balloon expands and contracts, and there are about hundreds of millions of small structures in the lungs like balloons, which we call alveolar tissue. This structure also continuously expands and contracts, expelling carbon dioxide and inhaling oxygen. For certain reasons, such as infection or due to the body shape of tall, thin young people, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis in elderly people, this alveolar structure can rupture, causing some alveoli to merge into a large bulla. Of course, if the large bulla eventually ruptures, the break in this balloon-like surface will leak air into the pleural cavity, causing a pneumothorax. As for the nutrition from food, we believe that patients should not refrain from certain foods, but should instead increase their intake of protein, such as eating three to four egg whites daily. If worried about high cholesterol, discard the yolk, consuming only one yolk per day, but ensuring adequate protein intake. Therefore, for patients with pneumothorax, it is not about avoiding certain foods, but about eating more of those foods to which they are not allergic, such as shrimp and beef, rather than restricting their diet.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Are the symptoms of pneumothorax severe?

Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity. The severity of symptoms after suffering from pneumothorax can vary, with common symptoms including coughing, chest pain, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The severity of symptoms largely depends on the amount of air in the pleural space. If the amount of air is small, symptoms might not be noticeable. However, with a larger amount of air, difficulty breathing can be quite severe. In cases of tension pneumothorax, the symptoms can be extremely severe and may even lead to respiratory and circulatory failure in a short period. Patients often experience significant chest tightness, restlessness, dry skin, heavy sweating, and may even lose consciousness. Immediate treatment is necessary, as there could be a risk to life.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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The fastest method for spontaneous pneumothorax recovery.

Pneumothorax is mainly caused by various reasons that allow air inside the lungs to enter the pleural cavity, resulting in the accumulation of gas and the compression of the lung, reducing its volume. Clinically, for patients with lung compression not exceeding 30%, a conservative approach is typically chosen, which involves allowing the patients to heal naturally. For these patients who wish to accelerate their recovery, it is generally recommended to inhale high concentrations of oxygen, which can aid in the healing of the lungs. Additionally, it is important to increase nutrition and protein intake to enhance lung repair and recovery.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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What are the symptoms of pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax refers to the accumulation of air that occurs when air enters the pleural cavity, a closed space, which is known as pneumothorax. The most common clinical manifestations of pneumothorax depend on the speed of onset, the degree of lung compression, and the etiology of the primary disease causing the pneumothorax. Typically, patients may experience a high level of mental tension, fear, restlessness, shortness of breath, and a feeling of suffocation. Some individuals may sweat, have an increased pulse rate, with the most prominent symptom being difficulty in breathing. Additionally, some patients may experience coughing and chest pain, and some may develop mediastinal emphysema, leading to gradually worsening respiratory difficulties, and even manifestations of shock such as a drop in blood pressure.