Spontaneous Pneumothorax Treatment Modalities: A Study of 48 Cases
Serdar Özkan1, Ülkü Yazıcı1, Selim Şakir Erkmen Gülhan1, Abdullah İrfan Taştepe2, Kerem Karaarslan1, Suphi Aydın1, Mehmet Furkan Şahin1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital for Chest Disease and Chest Surgery
2Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Faculty of Gazi University
Keywords: spontaneous pneumothorax, pleurodesis, bulla ligation.
Abstract
Objective: Spontaneous pneumothorax is collection of free air between the lung and chest wall, and is clinically and radiologically diagnosed. Treatment approaches are variable. In our study, we discuss our experience on pneumothorax and its treatment options in light of relevant literature.
Methods: 48 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax were prospectively reviewed. The study subjects were enrolled in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. The patients age, gender, comorbidities, symptoms, surgical methods and follow up were evaluated.
Results: Out of all these cases, 20 cases (41.7%) were total pneumothorax and 28 cases (58.3%) were partial pneumothorax. In 31 cases (64.6%) first pneumothorax was observed while 17 cases (35.4%) had recurrent pneumothorax. There were 26 (54.2%) left pneumothorax and 22 (45.8%) right pneumothorax. There are various treatment methods available. In our experience, 39 cases were treated through tube thoracostomy, 5 cases through pleurodesis, and 6 cases through ligation of bullae.
Conclusion: The aim of treatment is to avoid recurrence. Pleurodesis is performed in addition to tube thoracostomy, and surgical treatment if necessary should be considered. It is important to shorten the duration of hospital stay, and to prefer approaches increasing patient's comfort. In addition to tube thoracostomy pleurodesis or pleurectomy in the treatment of recurrent pneumothorax in a procedure must be applied.