A case of total bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonology
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Spontaneous pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.
• Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax is rare, particularly when occurring simultaneously.

Observation:

• A 29-year-old male presented with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax and near-complete lung collapse.
• The patient exhibited moderate respiratory distress upon hospital admission, yet maintained normal arterial blood gases.
• Initial management consisted of bilateral tube thoracostomy for lung re-expansion.

Findings:

• Surgical intervention, specifically right-sided thoracotomy with parietal pleurectomy, was performed.
• This surgical approach aimed to prevent recurrence of pneumothorax on the affected side.

Implications:

• This case highlights a rare presentation of bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax in a young adult.
• It underscores the importance of considering surgical management, such as pleurectomy, for preventing recurrence in select cases.
• The case contributes to the literature on managing spontaneous pneumothorax, particularly bilateral forms.