[Current therapeutic attitudes on pneumothorax in adults]

Abstract

Recent advances in thoracoscopy and surgical procedures have led to modifications in therapeutic approaches to easily diagnosed pneumothorax. These procedures make it possible to adjust therapy to the severity and underlying causes of the disease which may vary from simple bullous dystrophy to neoplasia. For simple pneumothorax, a suitable treatment may be to put the patient under observation or exsufflation, but thoracoscopy has the advantage of visualizing the lesion and, in certain cases, enables it to be treated. Surgery is indicated when an extensive bullous system is seen at thoracoscopy or when this technique is unsuccessful. A considerable reduction in the risk of relapse of this usually benign condition should be expected.