Ambulatory Pneumothorax Management in a District General Hospital

BACKGROUND: The pleural vent (PV) is a new drain and valve device enabling ambulatory pneumothorax management. This study analysed the characteristics and outcomes of patients with pneumothorax treated with a PV. METHODS: The characteristics and outcomes of 49 patients with pneumothorax treated with a PV between 1 March 2018 and 1 February 2021 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The mean number of days the PV remained in situ for all patients was 5.6 days, range 0-25, IQR 3-7. Forty patients were managed completely in the ambulatory setting. The total number of days with the PVs in situ was 248. Approximate inpatient bed days saved are 240-320 days. Complications requiring a change in management occurred in nine (18.3%) cases. CONCLUSION: This single-centre study shows that ambulatory pneumothorax management with the PV is feasible and associated with inpatient bed savings. Complication rates are less than previously described.