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Spontaneous pneumothorax
Treatment in China

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Diagnosis and treatment of lung diseasescover lung cancer, pulmonary nodules, pneumothorax and pulmonary bullae, etc.
Minimally invasive thoracic surgerySome patients can be evaluated for thoracoscopic and robotic surgery.
Esophageal disease treatmentcovers esophageal cancer and complex esophageal diseases.
Complex Thoracic ManagementFocus on Pleural Infections, Postoperative Complications, and Chest Wall Deformities.

Condition Guide

About Spontaneous pneumothorax

Understand the condition, common triggers and treatment options that may require specialist assessment.

Disease Introduction

Spontaneous pneumothorax is more common in tall, thin young men. It is caused by the rupture of a congenitally weak bulla at the apex of the lung, allowing air to leak into the pleural cavity. Symptoms often include sudden onset of unilateral chest pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. In cases with small amounts of air and mild lung compression, observation or puncture aspiration may be sufficient. Recurrent, persistent, or hemopneumothorax cases often require thoracoscopic surgery to remove the bulla and perform pleural fixation to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Cutting-edge high-precision diagnostic and treatment technologies

  1. Single-port VATS resection : Single-port thoracoscopic bullectomy has become the mainstream. By 2025, county hospitals had also started performing single-port VATS under anesthesia with preserved spontaneous breathing, which does not require double-lumen intubation and is less invasive.
  2. Mechanical friction fixation : VATS combined with pulmonary bullae resection and mechanical pleural friction has a low recurrence rate in long-term follow-up, which has been confirmed by a single-center long-term cohort.
  3. Relief to prevent recurrence : A 2026 study suggests that adding lower pulmonary ligament release can shorten drainage time and reduce postoperative recurrence;
  4. Refined drainage management : Postoperative double-tube drainage can reduce pain and shorten the tube wearing time compared to single-tube drainage, thus promoting rapid recovery;
  5. Transxiphoid approach : A new transxiphoid approach has emerged for single-port VATS, which reduces intercostal nerve injury and postoperative pain, and is more suitable for bilateral simultaneous surgery.

Care Overview

Spontaneous pneumothorax Treatment in China

The medical team will develop a personalized protocol based on the pathology type, stage, genetic test, previous treatment history, and the patient's physical condition.

Network of partner hospitals

Recommended Hospitals

Selected leading medical centers with strong specialties and international patient services.

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University)
Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University) logo
Shanghai · Partner Hospital

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University)

Organ TransplantThoracic

The hospital is a leading thoracic and pulmonary specialty hospital with a concentration of national key clinical specialties. Its thoracic surgery department has ranked among the top two in the Fudan University China Hospital Specialty Reputation Ranking for many consecutive years. In 2019, it won the second prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award for "Research and Promotion of Key Technologies for Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer". It has consistently ranked among the top 50 hospitals in China in the Fudan University China Hospital Comprehensive Ranking and is an international training base for minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

Year Founded
1933
Beds
1200
West China Hospital of Sichuan University
West China Hospital of Sichuan University logo
Chengdu · Partner Hospital

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

RehabilitationOrgan TransplantRare & Complex DiseasesOncologyGastroenterologyCardio-CerebrovascularNeurologyUrologyInternal MedicineSurgeryThoracicHepatobiliaryOrthopedics

The hospital is among the first batch of national medical center construction units and a pilot hospital for high-quality development jointly built by the national and provincial governments. It has established a national medical center for mental illness and two national regional medical centers. The hospital has 43 national key clinical specialties, ranking first among hospitals in China; its clinical medicine ESI ranking is in the top 0.252‰ globally. In the Fudan University version of the China Hospital Ranking, the hospital's comprehensive strength has ranked among the top three in China for many consecutive years (ranking second in the country for 11 consecutive years). Its anesthesiology department ranks first in the country, and many other specialties such as radiology, pathology, urology, ultrasound medicine, and geriatrics are among the top in the country. More than 10 specialties in the hospital are ranked among the top three in the country, and nearly 30 specialties are ranked among the top ten in the country.

Year Founded
1982
Beds
4900

Leading Specialists

Trusted Expertise Across Leading Specialties

Zhou Qinghua

Zhou Qinghua

Professor, Doctoral Supervisor

Thoracic

- Research areas: Surgery for locally advanced lung cancer, molecular subtyping of lung cancer, early screening and metastasis mechanisms of lung cancer; personalized multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment of lung cancer; thoracic tumor reconstructive surgery; molecular mechanisms of lung cancer invasion and metastasis. - Core technologies: Thoracic tumor reconstruction surgery, extended resection of locally advanced lung cancer invading major blood vessels; founder of "Thoracic Tumor Reconstruction Su

West China Hospital of Sichuan University logo Affiliated Hospital West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Zhu Yuming

Zhu Yuming

Chief Physician, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Head of the Lung Tumor Surgery Subspecialty

Thoracic

-Research areas : Minimally invasive lung cancer surgery, precision surgery for pulmonary nodules; - Specialized techniques: Single-port thoracoscopic segmentectomy/lobectomy, sleeve resection; - Areas of expertise: Early-stage lung cancer, multiple pulmonary nodules, central lung cancer; - Academic Highlights & Core Values: A core expert in promoting single-port thoracoscopic surgery in China, leading a multi-center clinical study on minimally invasive surgery for early-stage lung cancer in China, and fo

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University) logo Affiliated Hospital Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University)
Xie Dong

Xie Dong

Chief Physician, Professor, and a key expert in lung transplantation at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital.

Thoracic

Research areas : Lung transplantation for end-stage lung diseases (interstitial pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, etc.), and minimally invasive treatment of pulmonary nodules and early-stage lung cancer. Cutting-edge technology: Extensive experience in lung transplantation for end-stage lung diseases such as severe emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchiectasis; skilled in complex or difficult thoracic surgeries and surgical trea

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University) logo Affiliated Hospital Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University)
Chen Haiquan

Chen Haiquan

Doctor of Medicine, Chief Physician, Level 2 Dr., and Doctoral Supervisor. Currently serves as Director of the Thoracic Tumor Institute of Fudan University

ThoracicOncology

Chief Expert of the Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment Group for Thoracic Tumors, Director of the Lung Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center, and Director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery and ICU at Fudan University Cancer Hospital. Formerly served as President of Shanghai Chest Hospital. Received his Doctor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery degree from Shanghai Medical University in 1992. From 1997 to 1999, worked at St. Vicente Medical Center in Portland, USA, receiving comprehensive t

Fudan University Cancer Hospital logo Affiliated Hospital Fudan University Cancer Hospital
Jiang Gening

Jiang Gening

Chief Physician, Dr., Doctoral Supervisor , Chief Expert, Academic Leader, and Director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital

Thoracic

Deputy Director of the Department of Surgery, Tongji University School of Medicine; Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS); Member of the American Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (AATS). Standing Committee Member and Head of the Lung Cancer Group of the Chinese Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery; First and Second Chairman of the Shanghai Medical Association Thoracic Surgery Branch. Recipient of the State Council Special Allowance and the Shanghai May 1st Labor Medal

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University) logo Affiliated Hospital Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University)

Patient Stories

See the Next Step Through Patient Journeys

Congenital esophageal atresia (Gross type III) - Building a CASE 01
PATIENT JOURNEY

Congenital esophageal atresia (Gross type III) - Building a "new bridge" for the "blocked" lifeline

ThoracicPediatrics

Patient records: Name: Anong Age: 1 day Nationality: Thailand Diagnosis: Congenital esophageal atresia (Gross type III) Treatment Hospital: Beijing Children's Hospital (National Children's Medical Center), Capital Medical University Our esophagus, which was "disconnected" at birth, was reconnected across continents within 72 hours. When Anon was born in a Bangkok hospital, the midwife noticed a terrible sign: large amounts of foam were constantly coming out of his mouth, and he couldn't swallow. When they

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Traumatic Chest Deformity Complicated by Chronic Empyema Following a Severe Car Accident - A New CASE 02
PATIENT JOURNEY

Traumatic Chest Deformity Complicated by Chronic Empyema Following a Severe Car Accident - A New "Armor"

Thoracic

Patient records Name: Ahmed Al-Rashid Age: 45 Nationality: United Arab Emirates (Dubai) Diagnosis: Traumatic chest deformity complicated by chronic empyema following a severe car accident (defect of large segments of the left 4th-8th ribs, fibrous lamination, and cardiac displacement). Treatment Hospital: West China Hospital of Sichuan University (Department of Thoracic Surgery) Ahmed posted a photo on his social media, looking ramrod straight in a tailored suit he had custom-made for his wedding, with th

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Severe subglottic tracheal stenosis after endotracheal intubation - the moment the singing resumed. CASE 03
PATIENT JOURNEY

Severe subglottic tracheal stenosis after endotracheal intubation - the moment the singing resumed.

Thoracic

Patient records Name: Maria Siregar Age: 34 Nationality: Indonesia (Jakarta) Diagnosis: Severe subglottic tracheal stenosis after endotracheal intubation (the stenotic segment is about 2.5 cm long, with an inner diameter of about 3 mm at the narrowest point, accompanied by cartilage ring destruction). Treatment Hospital: Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Endoscopy Center/Thoracic Surgery Department) When Maria sang "Jasmine Flower" in a slightly hoarse yet incredibly beautiful voice on the other end of the vid

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Service Process

A clear, coordinated process for efficient cross-border care

  1. 01

    Pre-Visit Services

    Contact us for help organising and translating medical records, planning consultations, and finding suitable hospitals and specialists.

  2. 02

    Remote Consultations

    A remote consultation helps establish an initial approach to diagnosis and treatment, with a cost estimate available within 48 hours.

  3. 03

    Travel Arrangements

    We assist with visa applications, book flights and hotel or apartment accommodation, and arrange airport pick-up, private transport and check-in.

  4. 04

    Comprehensive Support in China

    We accompany you to medical appointments and provide interpreting services, help arrange specialist consultations or surgery, assist with hospital admission and discharge, and help settle medical bills.

  5. 05

    Post-Visit Services

    We assist with notarisation of medical expense documents, airport drop-off, organisation and translation of medical records, remote rehabilitation guidance, and coordination of international referrals.

Next Step

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