When an air leak persists for more than 72 hours or pneumothorax continues to recur, surgery may be used to close the leak and repair the lung, or a chemical agent may be put into the space between the lung and the rib cage to cause the lung and the rib to fuse together. This may be done with a traditional thoracotomy or with less invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery. When To Call Your Doctor Call your doctor if you have symptoms of pneumothorax, especially if you have had a collapsed lung before or you have a family history of pneumothorax. Call your doctor even if your respiratory symptoms seem to improve. Once pneumothorax has healed, there is usually no long-term effect on your health.
Recurrence is common, especially within the first few months following the initial pneumothorax.
Spontaneous pneumothorax will happen more than once in as many as 50 percent of cases. All rights reserved. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions .