[Effectiveness of the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax using small caliber pleural catheter].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (PT) by small caliber pleural catheter (SCPC) carried out by physicians with no surgical experience in the emergency department.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients with spontaneous PT (23 total, 4 of them tensional) were included in the study. An 8 French caliber polyethylene SCPC was inserted in all the patients requiring pleural drainage.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients (67%) required pleural drainage. The catheter was carried for a mean of 4 days (1-7) resolving PT in 27 (84%) with no resolution being achieved in 5 (15%) and posterior surgical treatment being required. No major complications were observed during the evolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of small caliber pleural catheters in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (both total and to pressure) performed by physicians with no previous surgical knowledge is safe and effective.
Plaza
V
V
Sección de Neumología, Hospital General de Vic. Barcelona.
Serra-Batlles
J
J
Lucas
M
M
Palomares
A
A
Brugués
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
Eficacia del tratamiento del neumotórax espontáneo mediante catéter pleural de pequeño calibre.