SERKAN BAYRAM, MUSTAFA AKYIL, PELİN ERDİZCİ, SERDA KANBUR METİN, ABİDİN LEVENT ALPAY, SELAMİ VOLKAN BAYSUNGUR
Current Thoracic Surgery - 2023;8(2):80-84
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.
