[Indications and results of surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax].

Between 1973 and 1985, 107 thoracotomies were performed in cases of spontaneous pneumothorax in 100 patients. Only in 3 patients we found a primary pneumothorax. In relation to the basic illness, the gravity of accompanying diseases and the frequency of relapses, we employed an graduated concept of treatment: Pleurocentesis, thoracodrainage, thoracotomy. The indication for primary operation was established in 10 patients and for sternotomy in 3 cases of simultaneous bilateral pneumothorax. There was a low frequency of relapses (1 patient) in comparison with conservative treatment. The frequency of complications in total was judged to be low.