Descriptive analysis of Pneumothorax cases: Evidence from Herat Regional Hospital in 1403
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58342/MJ.V.3.I.2.6Keywords:
Pneumothorax, Respiratory Infections, Complications, Postoperative Follow-upAbstract
Background: Pneumothorax, whether spontaneous or iatrogenic, is commonly observed in pulmonary conditions. While secondary pneumothorax results from an underlying lung disease, spontaneous pneumothorax occurs in healthy individuals without a clear cause.
Methodology: A total of 110 patients with comprehensive clinical records and postoperative follow-up were selected using convenience sampling. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional investigation with a quantitative approach, conducted retrospectively. Data were extracted from the patients' clinical records, which included demographic information and other relevant data.
Findings :Out of 110 patients, 23.7% were diagnosed with pneumothorax. Among them, 66 cases (60%) were male and 44 cases (40%) were female, with the highest prevalence observed in the age group of 15-30 years, accounting for 40%. Bacterial pneumonia (45%) was the most common cause of pneumothorax, followed by systemic infections (27%) and respiratory disorders (23%). Treatment involved pleurosynthesis for 40 cases (36%) and surgery for 35 cases (31%). Postoperative complications included infections (13.6%) and bleeding (9.1%). There were two fatalities (1.8%) related to surgical procedures; however, 63.6% of patients recovered without any complications.
Conclusion: This study indicates a high prevalence of pneumothorax among men and individuals in the adolescent to middle-aged group, emphasizing the need for effective management. Attention should be given to respiratory infections and thorough evaluations of postoperative complications. Timely prevention and treatment are critical for reducing complications and mortality.
References
Sellke FW, Del Nido PJ, Swanson SJ. Sabiston and Spencer Surgery of the Chest. Sabiston and Spencer Surgery of the Chest: 2-Volume Set. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2012-1-
Iqbal B, Hallifax R, Rahman NM. Pneumothorax: An update on clinical spectrum, diagnosis and management. Vol. 25, Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinme.2025.100327
Gayatridevi Y, Usharani N, Premkumar A, Sambasivarao G, Kumari VS urya, Joshua S. Clinical Profile of Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Adults: A Retrospective Study. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 2015;57(4). https://doi.org/10.5005/ijcdas-57-4-219
Onuki T, Ueda S, Yamaoka M, Sekiya Y, Yamada H, Kawakami N, et al. Primary and Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Prevalence, Clinical Features, and In-Hospital Mortality. Can Respir J. 2017 https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6014967
Dhua A, Bhuniya S, Chaudhuri AD, Raytapadar S, Bairagya T Das. Evaluation of Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Eastern Part of India. Chest. 2014;145(3). https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.1832452
Iftikhar A, Zafar SI, Slehria AUR, Awan AA, Rahim R, Sheraz A. Pneumothorax and Intrapulmonary Hemorrhage in Computed Tomography-Guided Transthoracic Biopsy. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal. 2022;72(4). https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v72i4.2796
Atika K, Rosfadilla P, Meunasah JH, Cunda U, Lhokseumawe A. Pneumothoraks : Definisi Hingga Penatalaksanaan. Jurnal Kesehatan dan Kedokteran. 2025; https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v72i4.2796
Kardaman N, Nizami M, Marciniak S, Hogan J, Aresu G. Catamenial pneumothorax. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2022;104(4). https://doi.org/10.1308/rcsann.2021.0164
Hallifax R. Aetiology of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax. Vol. 11, Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030490
Fantin A, Castaldo N, Salvitti S, Crisafulli E, Sartori G, Patrucco F, et al. A Practical Approach to Pneumothorax Management. Pulm Ther. 2025;11(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41030-025-00297-z
Gilday C, Odunayo A, Hespel AM. Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis. Vol. 45, Topics in Companion Animal Medicine. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcam.2021.100563
Chong WH, Saha BK, Hu K, Chopra A. The incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of pneumothorax in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A systematic review. Heart and Lung. 2021;50(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2021.04.005
Zantah M, Dominguez Castillo E, Townsend R, Dikengil F, Criner GJ. Pneumothorax in COVID-19 disease- incidence and clinical characteristics. Respir Res. 2020;21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-020-01504-y
Nava GW, Walker SP. Management of the Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Current Guidance, Controversies, and Recent Advances. Vol. 11, Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11051173
Noppen M. Spontaneous pneumothorax: epidemiology, pathophysiology and cause. European Respiratory Review. 2010;19(117):217–219.
https://doi.org/10.1183/09059180.00005310
Schnell J, Koryllos A, Lopez-Pastorini A, et al. Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Epidemiology and Treatment in Germany Between 2011 and 2015. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2017;114(44):739–744.
https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2017.0739
Kim D, Jung B, Jang BH, et al. Epidemiology and medical service use for spontaneous pneumothorax: a 12-year study using nationwide cohort data in Korea. BMJ Open. 2019;9:e028624.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028624
Bobbio A, Dechartres A, Bouam S, et al. Epidemiology of spontaneous pneumothorax: gender-related differences. Thorax. 2015;70:653–658.
https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206577
Cheng HS, Wong C, Chiu PH, Tong CW, Miu PLF. Management of spontaneous pneumothorax: a mini-review on its latest evidence. Vol. 16, Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2024. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-24-415
Savitsky E, Oh SS, Lee JM. The Evolving Epidemiology and Management of Spontaneous Pneumothorax. JAMA. 2018;320(14):1441–1443.






