Thorax 1982;37:850-853 Management of pneumothorax in adults with cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACT The histories of 243 adults with cystic fibrosis were reviewed; 46 had experienced one or more spontaneous pneumothoraces (18.9%), and seven had died of this complication. There was a high incidence of recurrence on the same side after conservative management (50%) or intercostal drainage (55.2%). Prolonged intercostal drainage was associated with a high mortality. One-third of patients required surgical treatment. Twenty thoracotomies were performed. Three of these patients died but only two of the 17 survivors had recurrences. Severe airflow obstruction was not a contraindication to surgery. A plan of management for future cases is outlined. There is a high incidence of pneumothorax in patients with cystic fibrosis, and it is an important cause of both morbidity and mortality.'-4 Pneumothorax occurs mainly in those patients with advanced dis-ease, severe airflow obstruction, and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.'5 All the methods available for treatment of pneumothorax have been used in cystic fibrosis, but none has gaine