There is no other prevention than to decrease the risk by stopping smoking . Small pneumothoraces may resolve on their own. Aspiration of air through a Teflon catheter to a vacuum bottle may reexpand 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 for recurrent episodes. Patients should discontinue smoking and avoid high altitudes, scuba diving, or flying in unpressurized aircraft to prevent the recurrence of pneumothorax. Up to half of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax experience recurrence, but there are no long-term complications following successful therapy. Spontaneous pneumothorax can recur. Call your health care provider if severe shortness of breath develops.