Spontaneous pneumothoraces in the last five years in Alexandria main University Hospital

ABSTRACT

A total of 45 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who were hospitalized during the last 5 years [from 1983-1987] in the Chest Department and Cardiothoracic Surgical Department in Alexandria Main University Hospital had been reviewed. The right lung was involved in 60% of the cases and the left lung in 40%. 87% of the cases were males and 13% were females, their ages ranged between 17- 67 years [mean equals 35.6 years]. Recurrent pneumothorax was recorded in 20% of the cases. Conservative treatment was tried in 31% of the cases, while 15.5% were treated by needle aspiration. Intercostal tube under water seal drainage was done in 53% of the cases. Thoracotomy was performed in 11% of the cases, particularly those cases with unexp and ed lungs and bronchopleural fistulae. Pleurodesis using intrapleural tetracycline was tried in three cases of recurrent pneumothorax to obliterate the pleural space