title: [Evaluation of surgical treatment results for pneumothorax in patients from the Institute of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases].
abstract: 2421 patients with pneumothorax (491 women and 1930 men), at the mean age of 42 years were treated in the Institute of TB and Lung Diseases in years 1975-1997. There were 2209 cases with primary pneumothorax and 739 (33%) cases with recurrent pneumothorax. Among these 739 patients, only 439 patients were treated previously in the Institute of TB and Lung Diseases because of the primary pneumothorax. Percentage of the "own recurrences" was 16.7%. Only 34% of patients were admitted to the hospital before the elapse of 12 hours after the appearance of symptoms; the next 11% of patients--before 24 hours. The rest of the patients were hospitalised later than the above mentioned time, even 7 days after the first symptoms. A mean duration of hospitalisation of patients with primary pneumothorax was 12 days, with the recurrent pneumothorax--13.6 days. In 1/3 of patients pneumothorax was related to exertion. Chest X-ray showed partial pneumothorax in 3/4 of patients, total pneumothorax--in 1/4 of patients. The general condition of 1/3 of patients was assessed as medium-heavy and heavy. In 703 cases (29%) coexistence of emphysema bullosa was found, in 524 cases (22%)--a past tuberculosis lesions, in 42 cases--neoplasm, in 589 cases (20%)--inflammation of the respiratory system. Conservative management was applied in 211 patients (7%). It was satisfactory in 94% of cases. The intercostal tube drainage was performed in 2583 patients (88%). The duration of drainage lasted from 2 to 551 days (x = 6.6 (4.9 days). The results of treatment were satisfactory in 76% of cases, without any complications. In 331 patients the most important complication was the leakage of air lasting longer than 7 days. In 167 patients the result of treatment was unsatisfactory. Thoracotomy was performed on 152 patients. Twelve patients (0.46%) died.
authors.affiliation: Samodzielny Oddział Kardiotorakochirurgii Instytutu, Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chudański
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome