Spontaneous pneumothorax: A single-institution, 12-year experience in patients under 16 years of age

Objective: To characterize the natural history and outcome of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients under age 16 years. Design: This is a retrospective review in which all patients admitted to the authors' institution (between December 1980 and July 1993) with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumoth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pediatric surgery 1995-10, Vol.30 (10), p.1452-1454
Main Authors: Wilcox, D.T, Glick, P.L, Karamanoukia, H.L, Allen, J.E, Azizkhan, R.G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Pneumology
Pneumothorax - epidemiology
Pneumothorax - physiopathology
Pneumothorax - surgery
Recurrence
Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases
Retrospective Studies
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Summary:Objective: To characterize the natural history and outcome of spontaneous pneumothorax in patients under age 16 years. Design: This is a retrospective review in which all patients admitted to the authors' institution (between December 1980 and July 1993) with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax were included. Information was obtained from the hospital records. Setting: This study was performed in a university childrens' hospital. Patients: All patients under 16 years with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax were included. Results: Seventeen patients were admitted and analyzed. Their age range was 2 to 16 years; 65% were male. Only three admissions were for recurrence. The main symptoms included chest pain (100%), shortness of breath (41%), and cough (6%). Chest tube drainage was successful in 65% of the cases; the median time was 4 days. Two patients had a persistent air leak. An underlying cause was recognized in 42% of cases. Seven operations were necessary, and the mean follow-up period in 31 months, with no recurrence reported to date. Conclusion: Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in the pediatric population, although it is less common than in adults. An underlying pathology is more frequently observed in pediatric patients, but recurrence is less common. Chest tube drainage alone is sufficient treatment for the majority of patients; however, a significant number require some form of surgical intervention.
ISSN:0022-3468
1531-5037
DOI:10.1016/0022-3468(95)90405-0