Pneumothorax is a condition that develops due to the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity caused by various reasons. The disease requires urgent medical assistance provided in Israeli clinics by doctors with excellent training, extensive clinical experience, participating in the research of pathology, development, and implementation of innovative techniques. Treatment of pneumothorax in Israel involves creating an individual program that includes modern conservative and surgical methods. A complex of factors, primarily the level of specialist qualification, the availability of state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and the latest medications, alleviates symptoms, ensures normalization of the patient's condition, and a positive prognosis.
Performing examinations on high-tech equipment allows for obtaining detailed information necessary for establishing a diagnosis and developing a treatment strategy in the shortest possible time. Based on the results of the studies, the degree of impairment and the type of pneumothorax are determined, which directly affects the choice of therapeutic methods. The treatment plan includes various types of minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries, including pleurodesis, effective techniques for air aspiration, and pleural cavity drainage. The most convincing evidence of the high quality and comfort of treatment is patient feedback. The affordable cost of services is also emphasized.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
As a result of gas accumulation in the pleural cavity, lung tissue collapses, blood vessels passing through the mediastinum are compressed, and the mediastinum itself shifts. As a result, the patient experiences varying degrees of respiratory function and circulation impairment. Air entering the pleural cavity causes an increase in pressure in this area, which is normally lower than atmospheric pressure, leading to complete or partial collapse of the lung.
There are two main causes of the disease:
- traumatic injuries to the lungs and chest (closed and open chest injuries, organ damage during therapeutic and diagnostic procedures);
- lung diseases and other thoracic organs (tuberculosis, emphysema, pyopneumothorax).
Pneumothorax can be traumatic or spontaneous, occurring in the case of a spontaneous rupture of lung tissue. Spontaneous pneumothorax is further divided into idiopathic (primary), symptomatic (secondary), and recurrent. The idiopathic form develops due to certain lung diseases, congenital pleural weakness, diving, or flying at high altitudes. Based on the volume of accumulated air, pneumothorax is classified as partial or complete.
Additionally, depending on the conditions of communication with the environment, pneumothorax can be:
- closed (the pleural cavity does not communicate with the external environment);
- open (the pleura freely communicates with the external environment, and the pressure in the pleural cavity is equal to atmospheric pressure);
- valvular (formed valves allow air to enter the cavity during inhalation but prevent its exit during exhalation, resulting in intrapleural pressure being higher than atmospheric pressure).
Clinical signs and their severity depend on the cause of the disease and the degree of lung collapse. In the case of open pneumothorax, the patient lies on the affected side, trying to cover the wound as much as possible. In acute development of the pathology, there is sharp pain in the area of the affected lung, difficulty breathing up to acute respiratory failure, cyanosis or pallor, dry cough. Symptoms are pronounced when the lung collapses by more than 40%.
Treatment is carried out according to a comprehensive scheme that includes several methods.
First Aid
Since the disease is urgent and can threaten the patient's life, first aid must be provided to the patient before the arrival of doctors. The patient is ensured rest, a sufficient amount of fresh air, and in the case of an open chest wound, a hermetic dressing is applied to the wound.
Aspiration
In cases of partial pneumothorax and mild symptoms, the aspiration method is used to remove air from the pleural cavity. Under local anesthesia, a needle is inserted through a puncture in the patient's chest to drain the accumulated air. This method can remove up to 2.5 liters of air from the pleural cavity.
Thoracentesis
In pneumothorax, pleural cavity drainage is performed using the Bülau method. According to this method, air is removed using a special perforated drainage tube, which is inserted through a puncture in the chest made by a trocar (thoracostomy).
Pleurodesis
This procedure aims to "glue" lung tissue to the sternum. According to the classical technique, the first stage of the operation involves thoracotomy (opening the chest), after which the accumulated air is surgically removed from the cavity. In most cases, gradual obliteration (closure) of the pleural cavity is observed after this procedure.
Israeli thoracic surgeons prefer minimally invasive endoscopic surgeries. Their advantages include access to the surgical field through minor punctures in the sternum, low risk of complications, rapid rehabilitation, and recovery. Monitoring of the procedure is conducted through images transmitted to a monitor from a bronchoscope camera. Pleurodesis is indicated in cases of severe patient condition.
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
To establish a diagnosis, determine the type and severity of pneumothorax, and build an adequate therapy scheme, a comprehensive examination of the patient is required. In diagnostic centers in Israel, consultations with doctors and diagnostic procedures take about three days.
On the day of arrival at the clinic, the patient attends a primary consultation with the attending pulmonologist, during which the doctor reviews the available medical documentation and collects the medical history. During the superficial examination, the forced position of the patient, chest expansion, sweating, pallor, and cyanosis of the skin, tachycardia, and lowered blood pressure readings are noted. Based on the examination results, necessary studies are assigned.
The examinations include:
- X-ray examination of the lungs and chest;
- computed tomography (CT);
- ultrasound of the lungs and chest area;
- diagnostic pleural puncture.
The obtained results are reviewed by a medical council consisting of a pulmonologist and narrow-profile specialists. Based on the studied information, the doctors establish a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
- Computed Tomography
- Ultrasound
- Chest X-ray
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The cost of the therapeutic course often plays a decisive role in choosing a country and clinic. Treatment in Israel costs, on average, 30-50% less than in Western Europe and the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- International level of doctor training.
- Modern material and technical base of clinics.
- Use of innovative techniques and medications.
- Organization of the treatment process.
- Affordable prices.
In Israeli clinics, recovery and complete restoration are achieved in the absence of complications in the patient. Do not hesitate and waste precious time; seek help from the leading pulmonologists in the world as soon as possible.