Spontaneous Pneumothorax Article

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Postgraduate Medical Journal 2003;79:345-347

Spontaneous pneumothorax: use of aspiration and outcomes of management

by respiratory and general physicians

S Packham and P Jaiswal

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Queen the Queen Mother

Hospital, Margate, Kent

Background: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common problem in hospital

practice. Despite the publication of guidelines controversy over its

initial management still exists, particularly over the use of simple

aspiration.

Methods: The management of spontaneous pneumothorax by respiratory and

general physicians at our hospital was analysed by retrospective case

note review. Eighty five patients were identified over the study period

(36 managed by respiratory and 49 by general physicians).

Results: There was a significantly greater use of simple aspiration by

respiratory (81%) than general physicians (47%, p<0.001) and a higher

rate of success in this group. As a result those patients managed by

respiratory physicians had fewer intercostal drains inserted and

significantly shorter length of stays (mean 5.6 (3.8) days respiratory

group and 9.5 (6.8) days in general physicians group, p<0.05).

Conclusions: The greater and more successful use of simple aspiration by

respiratory physicians as an initial treatment for spontaneous

pneumothorax resulted in improved outcomes and reduced length of

hospital stays.

Becki

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