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Pneumothorax
How is pneumothorax treated?
The treatment of pneumothorax aims to promote the reexpansion of the affected lung and reduce recurrence, while considering the possibility of eliminating the cause of the disease. Treatment measures include non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical measures include observation, thoracic puncture for air evacuation, closed thoracic drainage, and pleural fixation. Surgical treatments include thoracoscopic surgery and open chest surgery. Choices should be made based on the type and frequency of occurrence of the pneumothorax, the degree of compression, the state of the condition, and the presence of complications, etc. Most patients can be cured through non-surgical treatment, while only a minority, approximately 10%-20% of patients, require surgical treatment.
Are the symptoms of pneumothorax severe?
Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity. The severity of symptoms after suffering from pneumothorax can vary, with common symptoms including coughing, chest pain, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The severity of symptoms largely depends on the amount of air in the pleural space. If the amount of air is small, symptoms might not be noticeable. However, with a larger amount of air, difficulty breathing can be quite severe. In cases of tension pneumothorax, the symptoms can be extremely severe and may even lead to respiratory and circulatory failure in a short period. Patients often experience significant chest tightness, restlessness, dry skin, heavy sweating, and may even lose consciousness. Immediate treatment is necessary, as there could be a risk to life.
Can pneumothorax patients take a plane?
Pneumothorax is a relatively common clinical condition, usually caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity. Patients often experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing. So, can someone with pneumothorax fly on an airplane? Patients with pneumothorax are prohibited from flying because the high altitude may aggravate the condition, leading to serious consequences. Even after pneumothorax has healed, it is advised not to fly within a year, as flying may cause the pneumothorax to recur.
What are the symptoms of pneumothorax?
Pneumothorax refers to the accumulation of air that occurs when air enters the pleural cavity, a closed space, which is known as pneumothorax. The most common clinical manifestations of pneumothorax depend on the speed of onset, the degree of lung compression, and the etiology of the primary disease causing the pneumothorax. Typically, patients may experience a high level of mental tension, fear, restlessness, shortness of breath, and a feeling of suffocation. Some individuals may sweat, have an increased pulse rate, with the most prominent symptom being difficulty in breathing. Additionally, some patients may experience coughing and chest pain, and some may develop mediastinal emphysema, leading to gradually worsening respiratory difficulties, and even manifestations of shock such as a drop in blood pressure.
Pneumothorax auscultation what sound?
Pneumothorax is a common medical emergency. After suffering from a pneumothorax, symptoms often include chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Regarding lung auscultation by a doctor after pneumothorax, the sound heard primarily depends on the amount of air accumulated. If the air accumulation is minimal, the physical signs may not be obvious. If there is a substantial amount of air, the breathing sounds during auscultation are reduced. In cases of a large pneumothorax, the breathing sounds may disappear, while on the healthy side, the breathing sounds may be coarser and intensified. Therefore, if pneumothorax is suspected during a lung auscultation examination, an immediate imaging test should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.
Pneumothorax is what disease?
Pneumothorax refers to the condition where gas enters the pleural cavity. Normally, the pleural cavity is a sealed space formed by the visceral pleura covering the lung surface and the parietal pleura on the chest wall. When gas enters the pleural cavity due to some reason, causing a state of gas accumulation, it is called pneumothorax. The causes of pneumothorax can be diseases of the lungs themselves or gas produced after the lungs and chest wall are injured by external forces. Typically, the condition occurs when the pleura near the lung surface ruptures, allowing gas to enter the pleural cavity, which is referred to as pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax should be registered under which department?
What department should you register for pneumothorax? If pneumothorax occurs suddenly, the condition is generally severe with significant breathing difficulties. In such cases, we recommend prioritizing a visit to the emergency department. Once the emergency department receives the patient, they will immediately request a consultation with a thoracic surgeon or a respiratory specialist. If the patient requires surgery, such as thoracic closed drainage or other procedures, it is usually handled by a thoracic surgeon; if the patient only requires conservative treatment, they will likely be transferred to the respiratory department; if the patient's condition is critical, they might be admitted to the ICU.
Pneumothorax tracheal shift to which side?
When a patient suffers a pneumothorax, the trachea is displaced to the opposite side, and the heart is also shifted to the opposite side. In cases of left-sided pneumothorax, the heart's dullness boundary and the upper boundary of the liver during right-sided pneumothorax are both undetectable. There can be manifestations of subcutaneous emphysema in the neck, chest, and even the head and abdomen. The patient may exhibit diminished respiratory movements and a significant reduction or absence of breath sounds. When a small amount of air accumulates in the pleural cavity, weakened breath sounds on the affected side may be the only suspicious sign.
How to treat rib fracture and pneumothorax?
After a rib fracture, if a pneumothorax occurs, it is a very serious complication. There are three types of pneumothorax: closed pneumothorax, open pneumothorax, and tension pneumothorax. The simplest is the closed pneumothorax. If the area of lung compression in a closed pneumothorax is less than 30%, there is a hope for self-healing, and generally no special treatment is needed; if the lung compression exceeds 30%, it might be necessary to place a closed thoracic drainage tube to drain the air accumulating in the chest cavity, which may need to stay in the chest cavity for about a week. This is the treatment for a closed pneumothorax. If it is an open pneumothorax, it means there is an open wound on the chest. The treatment principle is to convert the open pneumothorax to a closed pneumothorax, which means sealing the wound, turning it into a closed pneumothorax, and then taking x-rays to assess the degree of lung compression. If the compression is significant, closed thoracic drainage is still necessary; if the compression is less severe, observation can continue. For a tension pneumothorax, it is the most severe type of pneumothorax and must be taken very seriously. Emergency placement of a closed thoracic drainage is recommended and must be handled promptly, as it could pose a life-threatening risk. In summary, once a pneumothorax occurs following rib fractures, it must be taken seriously. It is necessary to go to the hospital's thoracic surgery or orthopedic department for formal and timely treatment to prevent potentially severe consequences.
How long after a pneumothorax can the drainage tube be removed?
Pneumothorax occurs when the pleura ruptures and gas enters the pleural cavity. After the occurrence of pneumothorax, chest drainage by inserting a tube into the pleural cavity to remove the air is a common treatment. Generally, in most cases, after effective drainage for a few days, the lung can re-expand and the rupture can heal. Under these circumstances, it is common to clamp the drainage tube and observe for about two days. Then, a chest X-ray is re-examined and if there is no air, the tube can be removed. If air reappears after clamping, continued drainage is necessary. If the rupture does not heal and pneumothorax remains unresolved even after two weeks of drainage, and if the patient's physical condition allows, surgical treatment may be considered.