[Iatrogenic pneumothorax]

The authors observed 32 cases of pneumothorax which developed as a result of doctors' manipulation: after pleural punction (10), hemosorption (5), acupuncture (4), puncture of vena subclavia (8), tracheostomy (2), manual therapy (2), installation of provisional artificial pacemaker (1). Diagnosis of complication was confirmed roentgenologically, nature of lung lesion was specified by thoracoscopy. Pleural punction (in 4 cases) and pleural drainage (in 28) were undertaken for the management of pneumothorax.