Is the recurrence rate high after pneumothorax surgery?
Feb 21, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
If pneumothorax is caused by trauma and all pulmonary bullae are completely removed during surgery, the likelihood of recurrence is generally low, provided that proper postoperative care is taken, nutrition is adequately improved, smoking and alcohol are actively avoided, and warmth is maintained. However, if the pneumothorax is spontaneous and not all bullae are removed during surgery, recurrence may occur due to intense physical activity, coughing, etc., and in such cases, the risk of recurrence is generally higher.
The recurrence rate after pneumothorax surgery varies and depends on the underlying cause and whether the treatment was thorough—it may be high or low.
1. Low
If the pneumothorax is caused by trauma, the recurrence rate is generally low. This is especially true when all pulmonary bullae are successfully identified and removed during surgery, followed by proper postoperative care, adequate nutritional support, active smoking and alcohol cessation, appropriate warmth to prevent cold exposure, and avoidance of upper respiratory tract infections.
2. High
If the pneumothorax is spontaneous and not all bullae are completely removed during surgery, the risk of recurrence is generally higher. In such cases, vigorous physical activity or persistent coughing after surgery may lead to the development of previously undetected bullae, resulting in recurrent pneumothorax.
