Evaluation of Pneumothorax Recurrence in Patients with Spontaneous Pneumothorax Treated with Slurry Pleurodesis with Tetracycline

Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs without any predictable factor. This leads to accumulation of air in pleural cavity, which can cause dyspnea and in severe cases even death.
This census, descriptive-retrospective study was conducted on patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated with pleurodesis chest tube in which tetracycline capsules were saluted, in Isfahan city, Iran, during 2013-16. After completion of treatment, patients were assessed in terms of dyspnea. In case of normal chest X-ray and pulmonary expansion, chest tube was removed. Demographic information and complications were evaluated as well. Data were analyzed using descriptive analytics and chi-square test. P-value Findings: Among 108 patients, 6(5.5%) reported recurrence pneumothorax in a year. 48 patients mentioned smoking that was not in association with pneumothorax recurrence (P > 0.05). 38 patients (35.1%) reported chest pain after chest tube removal and 8 patients (7.4%) reported fever of more than 38°C.
Due to comparing the results of current study with previous similar studies, treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with tetracycline capsule causes fewer complications and fewer recurrences.