Spontaneous pneumothorax: time to rethink management?

Oliver J Bintcliffe, Rob J Hallifax, Anthony Edey, David Feller-Kopman, Y C Gary Lee, Charles H Marquette, Jean-Marie Tschopp, Douglas West, Najib M Rahman, Nick A Maskell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

101 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

There are substantial differences in international guidelines for the management of pneumothorax and much geographical variation in clinical practice. These discrepancies have, in part, been driven by a paucity of high-quality evidence. Advances in diagnostic techniques have increasingly allowed the identification of lung abnormalities in patients previously labelled as having primary spontaneous pneumothorax, a group in whom recommended management differs from those with clinically apparent lung disease. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pneumothorax are now better understood and this may have implications for clinical management. Risk stratification of patients at baseline could help to identify subgroups at higher risk of recurrent pneumothorax who would benefit from early intervention to prevent recurrence. Further research into the roles of conservative management, Heimlich valves, digital air-leak monitoring, and pleurodesis at first presentation might lead to an increase in their use in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)578-88
Number of pages11
JournalLancet Respiratory Medicine
Volume3
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Jul 2015

Research Groups and Themes

  • Academic Respiratory Unit

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spontaneous pneumothorax: time to rethink management?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this