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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Treatment For Pneumothorax In Lower Lung?

My father went to see his doctor yesterday & after x-rays was done he told him that he has a very bad pneumothorax in his right lower lung. My father had TB in 2010 which he contracted from someone working with him. He completed the TB course & was given a clean bill of health. The doctor however suspects that this pneomothorax was caused by the TB.
What do we do know?? He says it won't help to use a tube to drain the air that's leaking. We don't know what to do from here. Their medical aid expired because the medical aid company was declared bankrupt. How serious is this & what is the next step in diagnoses & treatment?
Thu, 16 Jul 2015
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your father's situation and problem.
He needs urgent treatment because pneumothorax is life threatening emergency and with our treatment patient can die within a day.
Treatment options are intercostal drainage (ICD) and video assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).
VATS is costly procedure while ICD insertion I cheap and cost effective procedure.
Possibility of recurrence of tuberculosis and complicated with pneumothorax is high in his case.
So better to get done ICD insertion, don't think of cost at present, life is more precious than money.
Without treatment he may die within 1 day.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks.
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What Is The Treatment For Pneumothorax In Lower Lung?

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your father s situation and problem. He needs urgent treatment because pneumothorax is life threatening emergency and with our treatment patient can die within a day. Treatment options are intercostal drainage (ICD) and video assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS). VATS is costly procedure while ICD insertion I cheap and cost effective procedure. Possibility of recurrence of tuberculosis and complicated with pneumothorax is high in his case. So better to get done ICD insertion, don t think of cost at present, life is more precious than money. Without treatment he may die within 1 day. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.