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| Alternative Names: | Air around the lung; Air outside the lung
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| Treatment: | The objective of treatment is to remove the air from the pleural space, allowing the lung to re-expand. Small pneumothoraces may resolve on their own.
The placement of a chest tube (chest tube insertion) between the ribs into the pleural space allows the evacuation of air from the pleural space. With the chest tube left in place, the lung may take several days to reexpand. Hospitalization is required for proper care of the chest tube.
Surgery may be needed to prevent recurrent episodes.
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| Expectations (prognosis): | Up to 50% of patients with pneumothorax experience recurrence, but there are no long-term complications following successful therapy.
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| Complications: | - recurrent pneumothorax
- tension pneumothorax with shock
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| Calling your health care provider: | Call your health care provider if symptoms of pneumothorax develop; especially if you have previously experienced this condition.
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Review Date: 12/6/2001
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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