Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Results of Surgical Treatment and Analysis of Risk Factors for Post-Operative Recurrence—A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Serena Zanardo, Francesco Londero, Yvonne Beorchia, Luigi Castriotta, Elisa De Franceschi, William Grossi, Gianluca Masullo and Andrea Zuin  |  March 27, 2026

This retrospective study evaluated predictors of postoperative recurrence after surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Ipsilateral recurrence occurred in 12.8% of patients. Previous contralateral pneumothorax was the only independent predictor of recurrence, doubling risk. Larger chest drains were more frequently used in patients who recurred but were not independently associated with recurrence. These findings suggest patient history, rather than drain size alone, primarily drives postoperative pneumothorax recurrence risk.

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