Spontaneous pneumothorax: use of aspiration and outcomes of management by respiratory and general physicians.

BACKGROUND Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common problem in hospital practice. Despite the publication of guidelines controversy over its initial management still exists, particularly over the use of simple aspiration. METHODS The management of spontaneous pneumothorax by respiratory and general physicians at our hospital was analysed by retrospective case note review. Eighty five patients were identified over the study period (36 managed by respiratory and 49 by general physicians). RESULTS There was a significantly greater use of simple aspiration by respiratory (81%) than general physicians (47%, p<0.001) and a higher rate of success in this group. As a result those patients managed by respiratory physicians had fewer intercostal drains inserted and significantly shorter length of stays (mean 5.6 (3.8) days respiratory group and 9.5 (6.8) days in general physicians group, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The greater and more successful use of simple aspiration by respiratory physicians as an initial treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax resulted in improved outcomes and reduced length of hospital stays.