title: Spontaneous pneumothorax.
abstract: Spontaneous pneumothorax is not uncommon and can be potentially dangerous, especially in older people. A series of 201 patients is presented. Conservative treatment with tube thoracostomy had a 19% failure rate. It seems nevertheless to be the treatment of choice, though with risk of serious complications. Among the 60 patients who underwent lateral thoracotomy, 30% had recurrence of pneumothorax or other complications. Reoperation because of inadequate pulmonary expansion was necessary in four cases.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects