Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) affects young healthy people with a significant
recurrence rate. Recent advances in treatment have been variably implemented in clinical practice. This
statement reviews the latest developments and concepts to improve clinical management and stimulate
further research.
The European Respiratory Society’s Scientific Committee established a multidisciplinary team of
pulmonologists and surgeons to produce a comprehensive review of available scientific evidence.
Smoking remains the main risk factor of PSP. Routine smoking cessation is advised. More prospective
data are required to better define the PSP population and incidence of recurrence. In first episodes of PSP,
treatment approach is driven by symptoms rather than PSP size. The role of bullae rupture as the cause of
air leakage remains unclear, implying that any treatment of PSP recurrence includes pleurodesis. Talc
poudrage pleurodesis by thoracoscopy is safe, provided calibrated talc is available. Video-assisted thoracic
surgery is preferred to thoracotomy as a surgical approach.
In first episodes of PSP, aspiration is required only in symptomatic patients. After a persistent or
recurrent PSP, definitive treatment including pleurodesis is undertaken. Future randomised controlled
trials comparing different strategies are required.