A healthy 22-year-old has a primary pneumothorax with only minimal symptoms, meaning no significant pain or breathlessness. What does BTS guidance suggest?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Conservative management with outpatient review
- Step 1: Management of a primary pneumothorax depends on how symptomatic the patient is. Step 2. The 2023 BTS pleural disease guideline makes conservative management an option for adults with a minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic primary pneumothorax, with safety-netting advice and follow-up, as the air is gradually reabsorbed. Answer: Conservative management with outpatient review. Why not the others: Surgery is for recurrence or persistent air leak. Immediate drain insertion and admission are not needed when symptoms are minimal. Needle decompression is the emergency treatment for tension pneumothorax.
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