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
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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 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 Zhang Zhi Gong
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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How to treat recurrent pneumothorax for the second time?

Patients with recurrent pneumothorax, we recommend proactive minimally invasive surgical intervention. For patients experiencing their first recurrence of pneumothorax, the likelihood of a second recurrence is about 20-30%. For those who have had two episodes of pneumothorax, it indicates the presence of a small rupture on the lung, or an area that has not healed well, or is particularly weak. Thus, for patients who have had two episodes or a second occurrence of pneumothorax, if they do not receive active treatment, the probability of a third recurrence rises to about 70-80%. Whether using minimally invasive surgery or the conservative method of simple tube insertion, both are certainly burdensome for the patient. However, for patients with a second occurrence of pneumothorax, undergoing a small minimally invasive surgery, which involves a small incision of one to two centimeters under the armpit to treat the pneumothorax, dramatically reduces the likelihood of subsequent occurrences from the previous 70-80% to below 10%. Therefore, the best treatment for a second pneumothorax episode is through minimally invasive surgical intervention.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Pneumothorax, which department should it go to?

Which department is better for pneumothorax treatment? There isn't a strict definition dictating which specific department one must visit for pneumothorax. Generally, you can visit the respiratory department or the cardiothoracic surgery department. If the patient's condition is very severe, then the first choice should be the emergency department, where emergency treatment can be provided before further referral.

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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.