The affected person may have a rapid heart rate . Small pneumothoraces may resolve on their own. Aspiration of air through a Teflon catheter to a vacuum bottle may re-expand the lung. The placement of a chest tube between the ribs into the pleural space allows the evacuation of air from the pleural space when simple aspiration is not successful, or the pneumothorax is large. Re-expansion of the lung may take several days with the chest tube left in place.
Hospitalization is required for chest tube management.
Surgery may be indicated to repair tears in the lungs. Patients should stop smoking and avoid high altitudes, scuba diving, or flying in unpressurized aircraft to prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax. Untreated, the condition causes increasing difficulty breathing . The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.