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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Pneumothorax
Question: My friend was diagnosed with paraseptal emphysema when he was treated for a second pneumothorax about 4 years ago. He is tall and very very thin and he continues to smoke. what is his prognosis?
Brief Answer:
Quit smoking as soon as possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
In my opinion , by your history I think your friend is suffering from recurrent primary pneumothorax.
Primary pneumothorax is seen in tall, thin individuals. And it is due to rupture of blebs.
So ideal treatment is ligation of blebs thoracoscopically.
If your friend had not undergone this in past than I advice you to consult pulmonologist and get done CT thorax to look for blebs. And if present ,thoracoscopic ligation of blebs are needed for prevention of future episodes of pneumothorax.
In primary pneumothorax untill these blebs are not removed, there are chances of recurrence. So thoracoscopic intervention is needed.
Pleurodesis (adhesion of pleurae) can also prevent recurrence. It is done by talc powder and through thoracoscope.
So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss about thoracoscopic pleurodesis and bleb ligation.
Regarding smoking habit, I advice your friend to quit as soon as possible. As smoking increases the risk of recurrent pneumothorax by many folds. So smoking cessation should be the priority. If he continues to smoke, prognosis will not be good.
So to summarize, prognosis in your friend's case will be good if he follows these.
1. Quit smoking as soon as possible.
2. Consult pulmonologist and get done pleurodesis and bleb ligation.
Till that time try to avoid heavy work load exercise, weight lifting, scuba diving etc.
Hope I have answered your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.
Quit smoking as soon as possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
In my opinion , by your history I think your friend is suffering from recurrent primary pneumothorax.
Primary pneumothorax is seen in tall, thin individuals. And it is due to rupture of blebs.
So ideal treatment is ligation of blebs thoracoscopically.
If your friend had not undergone this in past than I advice you to consult pulmonologist and get done CT thorax to look for blebs. And if present ,thoracoscopic ligation of blebs are needed for prevention of future episodes of pneumothorax.
In primary pneumothorax untill these blebs are not removed, there are chances of recurrence. So thoracoscopic intervention is needed.
Pleurodesis (adhesion of pleurae) can also prevent recurrence. It is done by talc powder and through thoracoscope.
So better to consult pulmonologist and discuss about thoracoscopic pleurodesis and bleb ligation.
Regarding smoking habit, I advice your friend to quit as soon as possible. As smoking increases the risk of recurrent pneumothorax by many folds. So smoking cessation should be the priority. If he continues to smoke, prognosis will not be good.
So to summarize, prognosis in your friend's case will be good if he follows these.
1. Quit smoking as soon as possible.
2. Consult pulmonologist and get done pleurodesis and bleb ligation.
Till that time try to avoid heavy work load exercise, weight lifting, scuba diving etc.
Hope I have answered your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your friend. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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