Thoracic Portal Survey 5--Management of Initial Spontaneous Pneumothorax
 

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Controversies exist regarding optimal surgical and medical management of initial spontaneous pneumothorax. This survey will help identify practice patterns of pneumothorax management among surgeons.

Assume for purposes of this survey that the patient is a 20 yo male without known underlying lung disease who develops a moderate-sized symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax. A chest radiograph demonstrates no obvious blebs or bullae. The patient has no vocation or avocation that would put him at risk for recurrent pneumothorax.
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1. What is your preferred initial therapy for this patient?

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2. What role does drainage and non-operative chemical pleural sclerosis play in the management of this patient?

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3. When should surgical intervention be considered for such patients?

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4. What approach do you use for surgical management of such patients?

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5. If a pleural procedure is included as part of your standard operation, what procedure do you use?

6. Which specialty initially manages patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax at your institution?

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7. In what region is your surgical practice based?