• Pneumothorax Treatments

    Book Appointment

    Pneumothorax is a collapsed lung condition that occurs when air escapes from the lung and fills into the space between the lung and chest wall. This air build-up puts pressure on the lung reducing its ability to expand while breathing.

    thoracoscopic-surgery

    It is the second most commonly occurring cancer in the world.

    Symptoms of Pneumothorax

    Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms but later it may cause following symptoms:

    • Sharp pain in chest or shoulder that worsens on deep breathing or coughing

    • Chest tightness

    • Shortness of breath

    • Nasal flaring 

    • Bluish discoloration of skin due to oxygen deficiency

    • Light headedness

    • Rapid heart rate

    • Fatigue

    Diagnosis of Pneumothorax

    The diagnosis starts with physical examination and listening to patient’s breathing with a stethoscope that may show decreased breath sounds or no breath sounds on the affected side. In addition to this, following tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis:

    • Arterial blood gases 

    • Chest x-ray

    • CT scan

    • Electrocardiogram

    Laparoscopic surgery for Pneumothorax

    Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with pleurodesis and/or closure of leaks and bullectomy is performed for pneumothorax. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia through small incisions, using laparoscope and other long-handled surgical tools. The surgeon looks for the leaking bleb and closes it off. In some cases, a substance may be used to irritate the tissues around the lung so that they'll stick together and seal any leaks.

    Advantages of Laparoscopic surgery for Pneumothorax

    • Faster recovery

    • Only few hours or overnight hospitalization

    • Earlier ambulation

    • Sooner return to work

    • Very less pain during and after the procedure

    • Smaller incisions without any cut on abdominal muscles

    • Negligible risks and complications

    • Less chances of wound infection

    • High success rate

    • Better chance of breathing normally

    • Better quality of life

    Authored By DR.R.K.Sinha