title: [Treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Immediate results and cumulative frequency of recurrence].
abstract: From 1975 through 1987, 142 patients were treated for their first spontaneous pneumothorax. A total of 745 patient-years (mean 5.2 years, maximum 12.8 years) had been accumulated by June 1988. A total of 32 radiographically verified recurrences were recorded; 72% occurred within the first two years after treatment. The one-, five-, and ten-year cumulative freedoms from recurrence +/- standard error were 88 +/- 3%, 75 +/- 4% and 69 +/- 5%, respectively. The elective duration of tubulation was shortened from 10 to four days; this did not result in a higher complication rate; rather, there was a tendency to a reduced recurrence rate. Placement of the suction tube in 4th-5th intercostal space in anterior axillary line gave a significant greater recurrence rate than placement in 2nd-3rd intercostal space in midclavicular line. Also advanced age, female gender, non-smoking (patients who had never smoked), non-tobaccoabstinence (smokers who did not stop smoking), chronic obstructive lung disease, radiographic emphysema/fibrosis/bullae/blebs and a high height/weight ratio increased the cumulative recurrence rate. The tendency to recurrence after spontaneous pneumothorax showed a characteristic time-related pattern and should be analyzed using an appropriate time-related statistical method. Shortening of elective duration of tubulation may be accomplished without increased complication rate and possibly with a reduction of the cumulative recurrence rate.
authors.affiliation: Hjerte-lunge-Karkirurgisk Afdeling, Skejby Sygehus, Arhus.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lippert
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blegvad
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Larsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence
vernacular_title: Behandling af spontan pneumothorax. Umiddelbare resultater og kumulativ recidivfrekvens.