Thoracoscopic management of spontaneous pneumothorax allows prompt return to aviation duties

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax, a disease of young adults, is occasionally encountered in aviation personnel. Surgical intervention is often recommended after the first episode for those patients involved in aviation or diving duties due to the increased risk of recurrence secondary to barotrauma. Thoracoscopic surgery can be used effectively to resect the causative blebs or bullae and to perform a mechanical pleurodeisis. When compared to the traditional open technique, post-operative recovery time is less with this approach and allows more rapid return to aviation duties. Thoracoscopic surgery should be considered in all cases of spontaneous pneumothorax encountered in aviators.