title: Management of pneumothorax in adults with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: The histories of 243 adults with cystic fibrosis were reviewed; 46 had experienced one or more spontaneous pneumothoraces (18.9%), and seven had died of this complication. There was a high incidence of recurrence on the same side after conservative management (50%) or intercostal drainage (55.2%). Prolonged intercostal drainage was associated with a high mortality. One-third of patients required surgical treatment. Twenty thoracotomies were performed. Three of these patients died but only two of the 17 survivors had recurrences. Severe airflow obstruction was not a contraindication to surgery. A plan of management for future cases is outlined.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests