[Aetiology and treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (author's transl)].

During the past 24 years 571 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax were observed in 408 persons. The aetiology of spontaneous pneumothorax is reviewed. Diagnostic thoracoscopy followed by suction drainage is recommended. Bilateral tension pneumothorax and recurrent pneumothorax were treated by surgery. The preferential method was local or partial parietal pleurectomy. In some cases the pneumothorax was sealed by a dura graft. There was no substantial functional impairment and no post-thoracotomy death. The average lenght of treatment was 20 days.