Mary Hurley
My son, who is now 24, had numerous pneumothoraces in 1990-91. He was in the hospital for 5 1/2 months as he kept on getting more "holes". They finally had to go in there and "rough" up the lung/pleural cavity so it sticks to the side walls. This is a thoracotomy. Since then he has not had any problems, except he is unable to fly because of barotrauma. His lower left lung was not roughed up and I believe there could be minor leaks there or in the apex. After a thoracotomy is done, there is a high percentage that there will not be another pneumothorax. There are other treatments such as laser and a Tetracycline wash. I have heard that the Tetracycline wash can be quite painful, but it is cheaper. My son was also very thin. He is 5'4" and last Oct. 2000 weighed 78 lbs. He was started on Megace, an appetite stimulant, and now weighs 103 lbs. I know how uncomfortable those tubes are. Usually after two pneumothoraces on the same side, surgery is the best option. I hope they keep my e-mail. You're welcome to e-mail me Mary