Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Matlawene John Mpe

Abstract


Smokers have an approximately 12% lifetime risk of developing a primary spontaneous pneumothorax. It is rarely life-threatening and is mainly treated by aspiration. Secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces occur mostly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, they have a mortality rate of approximately 1% and most patients require a tube thoracostomy with instillation of a sclerosing agent. Successful prevention of recurring secondary pneumothoraces requires more invasive surgical procedures. This article provides a short overview of spontaneous pneumothorax and its treatment.

Full Text: PDF


SA Fam Pract | ISSN: 1726-426X

This journal is hosted by: OpenJournals Publishing. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 South Africa License