When you’re diagnosed with pneumothorax, you should consider having surgery to remove the blebs that may be causing your chest pain. Blebs are weakened areas of the lung, which can cause the air inside to escape, leading to a pneumothorax. It is a medical emergency that can cause breathing problems, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
There are different procedures to treat pneumothorax, depending on the patient’s health. Some common procedures include esophagectomy, thymectomy, and pulmonary surgery. These surgeries can help treat problems with the esophagus and the thymus gland, and can also relieve excessive sweating.
The most common surgical procedure for pneumothorax is a thoracoscopic pleurectomy. This surgery, which is performed under a local anesthetic, is considered the gold standard. It is 95 to 98% effective at preventing the occurrence of pneumothorax. While the surgery is relatively painless, there are certain risks. For instance, the technique may damage nearby organs, such as the diaphramumumum.
Another procedure is the Elosser flap, which was invented by Leo Eloesser in 1935 to treat tuberculous pleural space infections. This procedure involves infolding cutaneous skin flaps into the thorax and creating a permanent skin-lined chest wall opening.
Before undergoing a thoracoscopic procedure, a CT scan of the chest is used to identify blebs. The resulting imaging can be used to guide the surgeon’s surgical approach. However, not all blebs can be identified on a CT scan. If they are present, they may be accompanied by mimickers such as ribs and skin folds.
The thoracoscopic technique allows the surgeon to see the affected area with a robot camera. As a result, it is easier to recognize blebs. In addition, the thoracoscopic approach is a more aesthetic procedure. Patients are often discharged the same day as surgery.
Some patients may experience significant chest pain and need a longer hospital stay. They may be sent home with a pneumostat device, which is a device to help the air in their lungs to expand. Although this may seem uncomfortable, it can be less of a problem if the person has an oxygen mask. Pain relief can be administered orally or intravenously.
Once the bleb has been removed, a lung can heal and reattach to the chest wall. Depending on the patient’s condition, they may be discharged with pain medication and a respirator. During the recovery period, people may have to avoid bowel movements. Afterward, they may need to wait for the bowel to return to normal.
Blebs are most commonly found in the superior part of the lower lobe. They may appear as large bubbles on a CT scan. Occasionally, they can be seen in other parts of the lung. Regardless of where they occur, they are usually caused by an episode of spontaneous pneumothorax.
Symptoms of pneumothorax may include shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. The best way to find out if you have this condition is to talk to your doctor. Pneumothorax can be treated with a thoracoscopic procedure, but may also require other surgical methods.
