prognosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Some information concerning the prognosis for a patient with pneumothorax is presented below:
- reabsorption of air and re-expansion of lung will occur over 3-12 weeks unless bronchopleural fistula or tension pneumothorax develop
- a pneumothorax may precipitate respiratory failure if respiratory function is poor
- recurrence rate for primary pneumothorax is more than 20% after the first episode and even greater after the second episode and tends to be more likely in women, tall men and smokers (1)
- conservative treatment results in higher rates of recurrence
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