Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
05:50

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax in pediatric patients: our 7-year experience

Mirko Zganjer1, Ante Cizmić, Anto Pajić

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. mirko.zganjer@zg.htnet.hr

Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques. Part A
|December 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax in children often requires surgery. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a safe and effective treatment option for pediatric patients, with good outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a significant clinical issue in children.
  • Immediate surgical intervention, such as tube thoracostomy, is frequently necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in pediatric patients.
  • To compare different surgical approaches, including VATS and open thoracotomy.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 16 pediatric patients diagnosed with primary spontaneous pneumothorax over a 7-year period.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, symptoms, diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT scan), and treatment outcomes.
  • Surgical treatments included tube drainage, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with wedge resection and mechanical pleurodesis, and open thoracotomy.

Main Results:

  • 16 pediatric patients (11-18 years old, 12 boys, 4 girls) were treated.
  • Common symptoms included chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough.
  • Apical bullas were detected in 10 patients, and giant bullas in 2.
  • VATS was performed on 11 patients, and open thoracotomy on 3.
  • One patient experienced recurrence after VATS; two patients with giant bullas underwent open thoracotomy.

Conclusions:

  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an effective and safe treatment for pediatric primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
  • Surgical intervention, particularly VATS with wedge resection and mechanical pleurodesis, demonstrates favorable outcomes in this patient group.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus06:15

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus

Published on: March 6, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...