Mohebby H, Banna Zadeh, Panahi F, Bahrami H,
Volume 61, Issue 1 (4-2003)
Abstract
Spontaneous pneumothorax is a medical condition that potentially may be dangerous. Although several methods for management of this problem have been propounded, there is a great disagreement among the specialists about how to treat it and when more invasive treatments are indicated.
Materials and Methods: This study carried out in two phases. In first phase, 26 patients who had admitted to Imam Khomeini hospital from March 20, 1996 to March 19, 2000 and 50 patients admitted to Baqiatallah hospital between March 20, 1992 and March 19, 2002 with the diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax were studied retrospectively. In second phase, these patients were followed up.
Results: 39 patients (51.3%) had primary spontaneous pneumothorax, 35 patients (46.1%) secondary spontaneous pneumothorax and 2 (2.6%) neonatal spontaneous pneumothorax. 67 patients were male and 9 patients were female (male to female ratio: 7.5/1). Mean age of the patients was 35±20 years. Age peaks were the age group between 20 to 25 years old and age group more than 60 years old. Conducted treatments were observation in 3.9%, simple aspiration in 2.6%, thoracostomy alone in 81.6%, thoracostomy and chemical pleurodesis in 2.6%, thoracotomy and mechanical pleurodesis in 3.9%, thoracotomy and pleurectomy in 5.3% of cases. Mean duration of hospitalization was 8.9±7.3 days. Relapse of pnemothorax was seen in 36.9% of the followed patients. Mortality was 17.4% and all died patients had secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.
Conclusion: It seems that the management of spontaneous pneumothorax should be re-evaluated and the exact indications for conservative or more invasive methods of treatment should be defined.
