Evaluation of Pneumothorax Recurrence in Patients with Spontaneous Pneumothorax Treated with Slurry Pleurodesis with Tetracycline

Background: Spontaneous pneumothorax occurs without any predictable factor. This leads to accumulation of air in pleural cavity, which can cause dyspnea and in severe cases even death. Methods: This census, descriptive-retrospective study was conducted on patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated with pleurodesis chest tube in which tetracycline capsules were saluted, in Isfahan city, Iran, during 2013-16. After completion of treatment, patients were assessed in terms of dyspnea. In case of normal chest X-ray and pulmonary expansion, chest tube was removed. Demographic information and complications were evaluated as well. Data were analyzed using descriptive analytics and chi-square test. P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Findings: Among 108 patients, 6(5.5%) reported recurrence pneumothorax in a year. 48 patients mentioned smoking that was not in association with pneumothorax recurrence (P > 0.05). 38 patients (35.1%) reported chest pain after chest tube removal and 8 patients (7.4%) reported fever of more than 38°C. Conclusion: Due to comparing the results of current study with previous similar studies, treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with tetracycline capsule causes fewer complications and fewer recurrences.