Pneumothorax Treatment in Indore: Advanced Collapsed Lung Care at Apollo Hospitals

A pneumothorax, commonly referred to as a collapsed lung, occurs when air leaks into the pleural space, the area between your lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of the lung and makes it collapse. At Apollo Hospitals Indore, we provide comprehensive Pneumothorax Treatment in Indore, offering both life-saving emergency interventions and elective surgeries to prevent recurrence.

Led by Dr. Sumit Bangeria, our lead chest and chest Onco-surgeon, Apollo Indore is a center of excellence for thoracic care. Whether you are dealing with a first-time spontaneous pneumothorax or require recurrent pneumothorax surgery, our team ensures a rapid return to normal lung function through advanced medical and surgical protocols.
 

Why Apollo Hospitals Indore is the Best Choice for Pneumothorax Treatment

Choosing the right collapsed lung treatment in Indore is vital for long-term respiratory health. Apollo Hospitals offers:

• 24/7 Emergency Thoracic Care: Immediate response for tension pneumothorax emergencies.
• VATS Infrastructure: State-of-the-art facilities for minimally invasive Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.
• Rapid Diagnostic Imaging: Bedside ultrasound (FAST) and high-speed CT scans for instant triage.
• Multidisciplinary Team: A collaborative panel of the best chest surgeons for pneumothorax in Indore, along with pulmonologists and critical care specialists.
   

What is Pneumothorax? Understanding Collapsed Lung

A pneumothorax occurs when the negative pressure that keeps the lung expanded is lost. It is categorized into several types:

• Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Occurs in people without known lung disease (often tall, thin young men).
• Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Occurs due to underlying conditions like COPD, TB, or Cystic Fibrosis.
• Traumatic Pneumothorax: Resulting from chest injuries or rib fractures.
• Tension Pneumothorax: A life-threatening emergency where air is trapped and cannot escape, putting pressure on the heart and the other lung.
   

Common Causes of Pneumothorax You Should Know

• Blebs and Bullae: Small air blisters on the lung surface that can rupture.
• Chest Trauma: Blunt force from accidents or penetrating wounds.
• Underlying Lung Disease: Weakened lung tissue in patients with COPD, asthma, or tuberculosis.
• Medical Procedures: Occasionally, a lung can collapse during certain biopsy or catheter procedures (iatrogenic).
   

Symptoms: Signs You Should Not Ignore

Common Symptoms

• Sudden, sharp chest pain on one side.
• Shortness of breath (breathlessness).
• Tightness in the chest.
• A persistent dry cough.
   

Clinical Signs

A doctor will check for reduced chest expansion, absent breath sounds on the affected side, and rapid heart rate (tachycardia). In a tension pneumothorax, signs of shock or a shifted trachea may be present.
 

How is Pneumothorax Diagnosed?

Chest X-Ray

This is the standard first step to visualize the pleural line and the absence of lung markings in the air-filled space.
 

Ultrasound Thorax

Used for pleural air drainage in Indore triage, bedside ultrasound is excellent for the rapid detection of a lung point or the absence of lung sliding, which confirms collapse.
 

CT Scan Chest

The gold standard for pneumothorax diagnosis. It identifies small collapses, detects underlying blebs/bullae, and is essential for planning VATS surgery for pneumothorax in Indore.
 

Treatment Options: From Observation to Surgery

Non-Surgical Management

• Observation: Small, stable pneumothoraces may heal on their own with oxygen therapy.
• Needle Aspiration: A simple procedure to remove air and allow the lung to re-expand.
   

Surgical Treatment at Apollo Indore

VATS Surgery for Pneumothorax

This is the preferred minimally invasive approach for recurrent or persistent cases. Through keyhole incisions, the surgeon removes ruptured blebs and performs pleurodesis (a procedure to stick the lung to the chest wall to prevent future collapse).
 

Open Thoracotomy

Reserved for highly complex cases, such as those with dense adhesions or where VATS is not feasible.
 

VATS vs. Open Surgery for Pneumothorax

Parameter	VATS	Open Surgery (Thoracotomy)
Incision Size	Keyhole (Small)	Large chest incision
Post-op Pain	Significantly less	Higher
Recovery Time	1–2 Weeks	4–6 Weeks
Recurrence Rate	Very Low	Low
Best Suited For	Recurrent or persistent cases	Complex or failed VATS

Warning Signs: When to Seek Immediate Care

Seek emergency care at Apollo Hospitals Indore if you experience:

• Sudden severe chest pain following an injury.
• Difficulty breathing that worsens when lying down.
• Blue-ish tint to the skin or lips (cyanosis).
• Known history of COPD or TB with new chest symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pneumothorax and hemothorax?

Pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural space, while hemothorax is the accumulation of blood.
 

Can pneumothorax heal on its own?

Yes, if the collapse is very small (less than 20%) and the patient is stable, it may reabsorb with oxygen and rest.
 

What is tension pneumothorax and why is it an emergency?

It is a condition where air enters the pleural space but cannot exit. This builds pressure that can shift the heart and compress major blood vessels, leading to fatal cardiovascular collapse if not drained immediately.
 

How is VATS used to treat recurrent pneumothorax?

VATS allows the surgeon to identify and staple the leaking part of the lung (blebectomy) and roughen the pleural lining (pleurodesis) to ensure the lung stays permanently attached to the chest wall.
 

What are blebs and bullae?

These are tiny air sacs that form on the surface of the lung. When they rupture, they allow air to escape into the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse.
 

Can pneumothorax recur after VATS surgery?

While VATS significantly reduces the risk (to less than 5%), there is a very small chance of recurrence if new blebs form over time.
 

How long is recovery after VATS?

Most patients are discharged in 2–3 days and can return to light work within 1 to 2 weeks.
 

Is pneumothorax more common in young people?

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is most common in tall, thin males aged 15 to 34.
 

What is pleurodesis and when is it recommended?

Pleurodesis is a procedure that creates an adhesion between the lung and chest wall. It is recommended for anyone who has had more than one collapse on the same side.