Collapsed Lung

[Irishlad74]

Hi, Just recovering from a collapsed lung (primary spontaneous pneumothorax).

any advice on how to help the lung heal.... or advice on how to avoid a collapse in the future.

Thanks

Brendan

[May1982]

First of all - fell better.
I found this website that offers health information and advice on video. They have lots of videos about the lungs and maybe you'll find your answer here: http://www.sutree.com/Learn.aspx?q=lungs

Feel better

[daffy654]

Hiya Irishlad. I have had two spontaneous pneumothrax,one in 1996 and one in 2004.After the second one I had surgery to try and prevent it happening again.The operation was called a pleurectomy and bullectomy. I have found this site very helpful in the past

http://blebinfo.co.uk/phpBB2/portal.php

All the members of the site have had pneumothorax.

How long did it take for your lung to reinflate?What percentage of your lung collapsed? Did you need a chest drain? These are all questions that will have a bearing on your long term recovery and risk of reccurrence.

[Irishlad74]

thanks guys

i am having surgery on Mon / Tue.

[daffy654]

Are you having the VATS procedure Brendan? that is where they make 3 small incisions and use telescopic instruments. Good luck with it and your recovery.x

[Irishlad74]

Im having the Pleurectomy (inscision near the shoulder blade).

apparently the success rate is 99.5%.

Can anybody tell me if this is a general anestetic operation????

[daffy654]

Most definitely a general anaesthetic. You may wake up with a chest drain in too.Make sure you speak to the surgeon and the anaesthetist before your surgery and ask any questions you want answers to before you have the op. Both should come and see you before the procedure and explain any risks.The one they don't mention is that there is a risk of nerve damage in the chest wall. If you visit the site I linked to above there is a whole thread devoted to it,you will notice that I have posted on it :-).You don't have to join the forum to be able to read the messages.

[Irishlad74]

Cheers Daffy

I am now a member and find the site very informative

Thanks

Brendan