Pigtail catheter drainage for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.
Sir,

Several treatments are recommended for a first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), including simple observation, oxygen supplementation, simple aspiration and chest tube drainage, depending on the severity of pneumothoraces. 1 However, management for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) remains problematic, because of the lack of universally accepted management guidelines. Previously, we reported our experience in treating PSP using pigtail tube drainage and the results were promising.2 However, it is still not known whether the pigtail catheter is effective in the management of SSP. We now report our experience and results using the pigtail catheter in the treatment of SSP over a 3-year period.

From July 2002 to July 2005, 64 patients with a first episode of SSP treated at the China Medical University Hospital were included in our series: 52 males (81%) and 12 females (19%). The age range was 17–91 years, mean ± SD 59.5 ± 19.0. A chest ultrasound examination was performed first for guidance; then the pigtail catheter (10 …