Pleural surgery for benign condition: pneumothorax, emphysema and empyema

Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax is air build up in the chest cavity or lung lining. 

What causes a pneumothorax

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) 

This is when a pneumothorax happens in otherwise healthy person, for no obvious reason. Its the most common type of pneumothorax and happens most often in healthy young adults.

PSP happens due to a small tear on the outer part of the lung. The reasons for this aren't always clear, but researchers currently believe that this happens when blebs and bullae on the lung are burst

What are blebs and bullae?

Blebs are small air-filled blisters that can form on the surface of the lung. Bullae are pockets of air that can form with lung tissue.

Environmental factors
Smoking tobacco or cannabis increases the likelihood of having a pneumothorax. Vaping can increase the risk of pneumothorax too.

Pneumothorax has also been linked to air pollution

How is pneumothorax treated?

Chest X- Ray confirms diagnosis.
Small pneumothorax - The leak usually seals by itself and the trapped air gets reabsorbed over time
Large pneumothorax - Ranges from needle aspiration of air from pleural cavity, chest drain insertion to surgery.

What happens after a pneumothorax?

Will it happen again?
If you have a spontaneous pneumothorax, there is a risk it will happen again. This happens in up to half the people who have the first episode and is normally within 5 years of their initial presentation. If you've had a pneumothorax and you smoke, stopping smoking will reduce the risk of it happening again.

Surgery for pneumothorax
We utilise performed minimally invasive keyhole techniques (Robotic assisted or video assisted thoraco-scopic surgery). It is a highly effective treatment. Through small incisions, we can remove problematic lung blebs, seal air leaks, and perform pleurodesis to prevent future air build up in these spaces. This approach typically results in less pain, quicker recovery, and minimal scarring compared to traditional open surgery.

COPD (Emphysema)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions where it’s difficult to breathe air out of the lungs.

There is a vast body of evidence that confirms a subset of patients with COPD will benefit with surgery, lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).



Robotic surgery has revolutionised the outcomes for patients undergoing LVRS. The benefit includes minimal invasive surgery and real time intra-operative assessment of lung function has resulted in reduced hospital stay and faster recovery to get onto lung rehabilitation exercises after