Treatment in patients with low traumatic pneumothorax ratio

Thoracostomy tube placement (TT) is currently one of the most important treatment modalities used in traumatic pneumothorax patients. In patients with low pneumothorax ratio (percentage), both follow-up without surgery and employing intervention when indicated may be appropriate choice. We presented the outcome of patients with low traumatic pneumothorax ratio treated by follow up without surgical intervention in our clinic. During the period from January 2000 until January 2002, 108 patients who were treated and followed with low percentage traumatic pneumothorax in Ankara Numune Hospital Thoracic Surgery Clinic were allocated into three groups due to blunt trauma of the thorax, penetrating-cutting instrument injury and gunshot injury. All patients were admitted to the clinic with the purpose of observation without surgical intervention and chest roentgenograms were taken at the sixth and twelfth hours and daily thereafter. TT was performed for 46 (43%) patients whose pneumothorax ratio increased during the observation period. TT was more frequent in patients with 20% percentage pneumothorax (69%) as well as with two or more fractured ribs (69%). Follow-up without surgical intervention may one of the appropriate modes of treatment in patients who have minimal traumatic pneumothorax.