Pneumothorax should go to which department?

Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

Updated on May 01, 2025

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Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity, leading to symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and chest tightness. If there is a substantial amount of air accumulation, the symptoms can be quite pronounced, and severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and hypoxia. If one seeks medical attention for a pneumothorax, they could visit either the respiratory medicine department or thoracic surgery department. After consulting a doctor, treatment may involve procedures like pleural cavity puncture for air extraction or pleural cavity tube drainage to relieve the symptoms of pneumothorax as quickly as possible.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 12sec

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How to treat recurrent pneumothorax for the second time?

Patients with recurrent pneumothorax, we recommend proactive minimally invasive surgical intervention. For patients experiencing their first recurrence of pneumothorax, the likelihood of a second recurrence is about 20-30%. For those who have had two episodes of pneumothorax, it indicates the presence of a small rupture on the lung, or an area that has not healed well, or is particularly weak. Thus, for patients who have had two episodes or a second occurrence of pneumothorax, if they do not receive active treatment, the probability of a third recurrence rises to about 70-80%. Whether using minimally invasive surgery or the conservative method of simple tube insertion, both are certainly burdensome for the patient. However, for patients with a second occurrence of pneumothorax, undergoing a small minimally invasive surgery, which involves a small incision of one to two centimeters under the armpit to treat the pneumothorax, dramatically reduces the likelihood of subsequent occurrences from the previous 70-80% to below 10%. Therefore, the best treatment for a second pneumothorax episode is through minimally invasive surgical intervention.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 33sec

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How many days does it take for a pneumothorax to heal?

The healing time for a patient with pneumothorax, or how many days it takes to heal, mainly depends on when the rupture on the lung heals. In younger patients who have good elasticity and strong healing capabilities, and whose nutrition keeps up, pneumothorax tends to heal relatively easily. Especially in younger patients experiencing pneumothorax for the first time, 70-80% may heal within two to three days because the gas escapes very quickly. Once the surface rupture on the lung heals, it can be cleared within a day, leading to healing. However, if the patient is older and also has conditions like tuberculosis or chronic bronchitis, the elasticity of the lungs is poorer, making healing difficult. Like a balloon without elasticity, if it gets a rupture, it may continue to expand, complicating the prediction of healing time. Regardless of age, whether the patient is young or old, if pneumothorax recurs a second time, it is advisable to seek aggressive treatment. Patients who have experienced pneumothorax twice are at more than a 70% to 80% risk of a third occurrence. This indicates a weak spot on the lung surface, similar to a wound on the hand. If a hand wound does not heal in a few days, it can be sutured. The same applies to lung surface wounds; as it is located inside the chest cavity, a thoracoscope is needed for suturing. Thus, in normal circumstances, pneumothorax could heal in a few days, but if repeatedly delayed, aggressive treatment might be necessary.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

46sec

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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.

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Written by Zhang Zhi Gong

Cardiothoracic Surgery

1min 12sec

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Pneumothorax is more likely to recur in which season?

Regarding the seasonal issue of pneumothorax recurrence, the causes of pneumothorax vary among patients of different ages, so the seasons prone to recurrence are also not exactly the same. For young patients, pneumothorax tends to recur easily, often in thin and tall patients, usually related to recent colds and coughs, or intense physical activities like basketball, soccer, or seasons with more outdoor activities; these times are relatively more prone to recurrence. Particularly, the cooler seasons of spring and fall are also prone to recurrences. However, for elderly patients, the causes of pneumothorax recurrence are usually associated with smoking in older patients, or a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bullae. For these elderly patients, recurrences typically occur in the autumn and winter seasons. This is because the autumn and winter seasons are comparatively more problematic for patients with chronic bronchitis and obstructive lung diseases. Thus, pneumothorax recurrence in young people often happens more in the spring and autumn, while in older people, it occurs more in the autumn and winter seasons.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

51sec

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Can pneumothorax heal by itself?

Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture of the pleura, allowing air to enter the pleural cavity, and it is relatively common clinically. Can pneumothorax be cured after it occurs? It depends on the specific circumstances. If it is a closed pneumothorax with a small amount of air accumulation, conservative treatments like rest and oxygen therapy can allow for self-healing of the pneumothorax. However, in most cases, the accumulation of air is generally significant, and often it is a tension pneumothorax. In these instances, treatments generally involve pleural cavity puncture, or closed pleural drainage to drain the air, making it difficult to heal spontaneously and requiring medical treatment. Moreover, some patients may not recover fully despite aggressive treatment and may require surgical intervention.