Common Causes And Risk Factors Of A Pneumothorax

Ruptured Air Blisters

Air blisters, also known as blebs, may sometimes form at the top of the lungs. If these rupture, air could leak into the surrounding space, triggering a pneumothorax. Ruptured air blisters occur most frequently in men between the ages of twenty and forty, particularly in those who are taller than average and underweight. Air blisters are also common in patients who have emphysema. To treat air blisters, doctors may need to perform surgery. Using general anesthesia, surgeons can carry out a bleb resection, which is typically performed with a thoracoscope, a small camera that enables visual inspection of the inside of the chest. Through a series of small incisions, doctors dissect the blebs and staple them before removing the tissue. With the affected tissue removed, the patient's healthy lung will have more room for expansion. After the procedure, patients will have a chest drain inserted, and this usually remains in place for a couple of days. Once the patient is discharged, they will have physical therapy sessions to encourage healing.

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