[Instrumental methods in the treatment of non-specific spontaneous pneumothorax]

The results of treatment of 226 patients with unspecific spontaneous pneumothorax in 1980-1990 are discussed. Poor efficacy of punctures of the pleural cavity (32.4%) is noted. Pleural cavity drainage proved to be effective in 79.7% of cases, both in primary and in recurrent pneumothorax. Chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline and 4% sodium bicarbonate solution was conducted in patients with complicated forms of pneumothorax (bronchopleural fistulas, hydropneumothorax). The advantage of 4% sodium bicarbonate solution over the tetracycline solution was obvious. To prevent the development of encapsulated hydrothorax the authors improved the method of pleural cavity drainage. The described method of instrumental treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax allowed injurious surgical intervention and recurrent pneumothorax to be avoided in 100% of cases.