Tuberc Respir Dis.
1999 Sep;47(3):374-382.
Clinical Analysis of Spontaneous Pneumothorax
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Korea.
- 2Respiratory Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Taegu, Korea.
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate etiologic factor, treatment, prognosis of spontaneous pneumothorax(SP).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 225 cases of SP experienced at Kyungpook University Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 1997 were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS
1. The patients were 128 primary SP and 97 secondary SP. The mean age was 30 +/- 15.5 years in primary SP and 51 +/- 7.4 years in secondary SP. 2. The ratio of male to female was 8 : 1 in primary SP and 5.5 : 1 in secondary SP. Smoker was more common in secondary SP (71.1%) than primary SP(34.4%). About 70% of patients with primary and secondary SP was underweighted. 3. The previous history of SP was present in 28.9% and 25.8% of primary and secondary SP, respectively. 4. The main underlying lung diseases in secondary SP were inactive tuberculosis(68%), active tuberculosis(12.4%) and COPD(11.3%). 5. Tube thoracotomy was performed in 96.8% and 97.9% of primary and secondary SP, respectively. The duration of chest tube insertion was longer in secondary SP (18.2 +/- 19.59 days) than primary SP (7.5 +/- 6.57 days). 6. The open thoracotomy were performed in 22.7% and 10.3% of primary and secondary SP, respectively. The most common indication of open thoracotomy was recurrence on primary SP and persistent air leak in secondary SP. 7. During following-up of 17 +/- 7.8 months, the recurrence rate on patients with conservative treatment was 16.5% and 11.8% of primary and secondary SP, respectively. The recurrence was most common within 1 month after discharge.
CONCLUSION
Greater attention and research about SP are necessary for more efficient patient care.
