Parietal pleurectomy for recurrent pneumothorax.

One hundred patients with persistent or recurrent pneumothorax treated by parietal pleurectomy are described. There was one known recurrence and no postoperative deaths. Six patients required further surgery for complications. In the uncomplicated cases the average stay in hospital following operation was 11-5 days. Parietal pleurectomy should be regarded as the treatment of choice for patients with recurrent pneumothorax who are fit to undergo surgery.