Presenter(s)

Angela M. Sibilia

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Description

Pneumothorax is a condition where air escapes from the lungs and it collapses. Air accumulates between the lungs and the chest cavity causing partial or full collapse of the lung. These rare occurrences can be caused by a traumatic incident, or can be spontaneous and often result from a ruptured bleb (small air sac). This disease is most common in tall, thin teen-aged males and is increasingly likely to occur with smoking as well as asthma, T.B., C.F., whooping cough, and COPD. Working with a pediatric surgeon at Akron Children's Hospital, I reviewed patients' charts to study past cases of this disease. The purpose of my studies are to find the best method to treat patients. I compared the results of different treatments including: inserting a chest tube, open thoracotomy, or a video assisted thoracoscopy. Often a blebectomy was needed as well as chemical or mechanical pleurodesis methods. The mystery is why and when this is happening. Are blebs usually present and can be detected? Mainly, what is the best way to prevent re-occurrences?

Publication Date

4-17-2013

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Kathleen C. Scheltens

Primary Advisor's Department

Premedical Program

Keywords

Stander Symposium project

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

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