Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2010; 31(6): 769-780
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1269837
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Management of Pneumothorax

Demondes Haynes1 , Michael H. Baumann1
  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
06. Januar 2011 (online)

ABSTRACT

Pneumothoraces are classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and iatrogenic. Spontaneous pneumothoraces (SPs) occur without recognized lung disease [primary spontaneous pneumothoraces (PSPs)] or due to an underlying lung disease [secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces (SSPs)]. Treatment of PSPs and SSPs has been heterogeneous in the United States. This heterogeneity in management is likely due in part to the fact that the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines and the British Thoracic Society guidelines differ on some management recommendations, including recommendations that pertain to simple aspiration. Traumatic pneumothoraces due to penetrating or nonpenetrating (blunt) trauma usually require the placement of a larger-bore chest tube. Iatrogenic pneumothoraces, most commonly due to transthoracic needle aspiration, may be treated in carefully selected patients with observation. The presence of underlying emphysema in the setting of an iatrogenic pneumothorax usually mandates placement of a drainage catheter.

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Demondes HaynesM.D. 

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center

2500 North State St., Jackson, MS 39216

eMail: dhaynes@umc.edu