2009 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 114-119
The results of conservative medical management for intractable pneumothorax were analyzed in 45 patients hospitalized in our department from 2002 to 2006. The therapeutic strategy was determined by taking into consideration the degree of deaeration and re-inflation of the lung after a tube thoracostomy procedure comprising a tube thoracostomy, pleurodesis, or combined bronchial occlusion therapy. For bronchial occlusion therapy, silicon filling materials were used. For pleurodesis, adhesion was attempted under 50 cmH20 negative pressure. In all cases, except for 1 in the pleurodesis group and 3 cases of hospital death not related to treatment, the subjects were discharged from the hospital with deaeration stopped by the therapy selected in the initial treatment. We consider that our therapeutic strategy for intractable pneumothorax is effective, as well as very safe and reliable, as there were few cases of relapse.
