Outpatient Treatment for Pneumothorax using a Portable Small-bore Chest Tube

우원기, 주석, 이근동, 함석진, 이성수

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Background : For treatment of pneumothorax in Korea, many institutions hospitalize the patient after chest tube insertion. In this study, a portable small-bore chest tube (Thoracic Egg) was used for pneumothorax management in an outpatient clinic.

Methods : For treatment of pneumothorax in Korea, many institutions hospitalize the patient after chest tube insertion. In this study, a portable small-bore chest tube (Thoracic Egg) was used for pneumothorax management in an outpatient clinic.

Results : After Thoracic Egg insertion, 44 patients (78.6%) were discharged from the emergency room for follow-up in the outpatient clinic, and 12 (21.4%) were hospitalized. The mean duration of Thoracic Egg chest tube placement was 4.8 days, and the success rate was 73%; 20% of patients showed incomplete expansion and underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. There were 2 complications using the Thoracic Egg.

Conclusion : Outpatient treatment of pneumothorax using the Thoracic Egg could be a good option with socioeconomic benefits for young pneumothorax patients.

책임저자: 이성수

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

연락처 : 우원기, Tel: 010-8222-0983 , E-mail : 1keywoo@yuhs.ac