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Current Thoracic Surgery 2023 , Vol 8 , Issue 2
Is it a coincidence that COVID-19 and pneumothorax coexist?
Serkan Bayram1,Mustafa Akyıl1,Pelin Erdizci1,Serda Kanbur Metin1,Abidin Levent Alpay1,Selami Volkan Baysungur1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Süreyyapaşa Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey DOI : 10.26663/cts.2023.0013 Viewed : 973 - Downloaded : 357 Background: We aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and pneumothorax by examining patients who developed pneumothorax during the treatment of COVID-19 infection, and patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection during hospitalization procedures due to pneumothorax.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection and developed pneumothorax, and patients who were hospitalized for pneumothorax with a positive COVID-19 test performed during hospitalization procedures, between May 2020 and January 2021. We recorded the demographic, clinical and radiological characteristics of the patients; treatment modalities, and response times to treatment. We investigated the relationship between COVID-19 infection and pneumothorax.

Results: Of the 25 patients included in the study, 20 (80%) were male and 5 (20%) were female. The average age was 45 (17-77). Sixteen (64%) had thoracic computerized tomography findings consistent with COVID-19. Bilateral pneumothorax was observed in three (12%) patients. Pneumothorax was seen in 7 (28%) patients during mechanical ventilation. Tube thoracostomy with wet suction control closeddrainage system was applied to all patients. The average length of stay in the hospital was 7.8 (3-20) days. Recurrent pneumothorax developed in two (8%) patients after discharge, while the mortality rate was 12%.

Conclusions: In patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, pneumothorax due to mechanical ventilation can develop, as well as pneumothorax can be observed even in asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. This condition needs immediate recognition and prompt treatment as a life-threatening event in COVID-19 patients. Keywords : COVID-19, pneumothorax, SARS-CoV-2, tube thoracostomy