[The diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax of different etiologies].

A total of 1210 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and spontaneous pyopneumothorax (SPP)' were treated at the Surgery Unit of the Santariskes Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Hospital in 1960-1997. Of them, 533 (45.7%) patients had the conditions of tuberculous origin and 657 (54.3%) had nonspecific SP. Treatment with punctures was indicated for closed SP and degrees I and II collapse. If it was ineffective, the authors applied drainage 4-5 days later. The indications for this treatment were ineffective punctures, open and tension SP, pleural fluid, and SPP. If following 5-6 days of aspiration, the lung did not restore, surgery was made. A total of 1108 (91.6%) patients fully recovered and 102 (8.4%) died.