Spontaneous pneumothorax.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is not uncommon and can be potentially dangerous, especially in older people. A series of 201 patients is presented. Conservative treatment with tube thoracostomy had a 19% failure rate. It seems nevertheless to be the treatment of choice, though with risk of serious complications. Among the 60 patients who underwent lateral thoracotomy, 30% had recurrence of pneumothorax or other complications. Reoperation because of inadequate pulmonary expansion was necessary in four cases.