Spontaneous pneumothorax

Abstract

Patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, who were treated in this department during the period 1950-59, were reviewed in 1963. Since the treatment of this group of patients has changed radically towards a greater surgical activity in the form of suction drainage and thoracotomy, the patients from the next decade, comprising 229 episodes in 202 patients, have now been reviewed to evaluate the results of this attitude. The conclusion from the earlier review, that recidivating pneumothorax should be operated upon, is further supported, and in quite a few patients (9%) thoracotomy had to be performed to control the first attack. Pleural rubbing, as an additional procedure to resection of bullae, seems as safe as partial pleurectomy in prevention of relapse. There were few serious operative complications. A rather protracted suction drainage has been practised in this series. One consequence of the experiences from the present review is that this time has been shortened.