Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
Published on: March 12, 2020
Spontaneous hemopneumothorax
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Purpose Of Review:
Spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be life threatening, and is a cause of patients presenting with unexplained signs of significant hypovolemia. The debate relating to patient selection and timing of surgery in patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax remains unresolved.
Recent Findings:
Our experience together with the latest series published over the last decade on the conservative and surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax are presented and discussed.
Summary:
Surgery should be performed early in the management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax to reduce morbidity. In particular, video-assisted thoracic surgery, which is associated with potentially fewer post-operative complications and shorter hospital stays compared with thoracotomy, should be considered in patients with spontaneous hemopneumothorax who are hemodynamically stable.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Pleura of the Lungs
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

