Interpleural distance predicts persistent air leak after initial primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Initial surgical intervention for a first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is controversial. However, if air leak persists after initial drainage, surgical treatment is recommended. Therefore, we investigated risk factors for persistent air leak (PAL) in patients with a first episode of PSP.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with a first episode of PSP between January 2011 and April 2019. PAL was defined as air leak lasting 72 hours or longer. Early admission was defined hospital admission within 24 hours of symptom onset. Three methods were used to estimate pneumothorax size on chest X-rays taken at admission: interpleural distance, apex-cupola distance, and Light index.

Results

Among 122 patients, 55 developed PAL (PAL grou

SUBMITTER: Akamine T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7330386 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature