In this study, 38 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax experienced at the department of surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital during the period from Jan. 1973, till Mar. 1977 were reviewed.
1. Sex ratio of the observed patients was 4.4 : 1 showing high incidence male patients. 2. The incidence according to the age groups showed that 66% of the patients belong to the age group 3rd to 4th decade.
3. The frequent chief complaints were as follows, sudden dyspnea in 80%, chest pain in 60% and coughing in 25%, respectively.
4. The etiologic factors were as follows, tuberculous origin 42% rupture of bullae or blebs in 5.3%, acute pulmonary infection and pest-anesthesia in 2.7% and unknown cause in 47. 3%, respectively
5. The employed method of treatment were as follows, the successful expansion could be obtained with bed rest only in one patients. The needle aspiration was performed in two cases. Closed thoracotomy was performed in 35 cases, obtained successful expansion in 32 cases. Right upper lobectomy and decortications with simple closure of the bleb were performed in remaining 2 cases.
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