A randomised controlled trial of interventional versus conservative treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

How does conservative and interventional management of collapsed lung compare?

Grant ID: EMSS-12-190-KINNEAR-PSPS

Project Summary

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is defined as a collapsed lung with air in the pleural cavity that occurs in the absence of clinically apparent underlying lung disease. PSP is a significant global health problem affecting adolescents and young adults. Throughout the 20th century the treatment of PSP was predominantly bed rest, with invasive treatment reserved for severely symptomatic episodes. A study in 1966 suggested that managing large and small PSP in the community was safe. Despite this, rates of intervention have steadily increased over the decades. The reasons for this are unclear and this approach has recently been questioned in the scientific literature. Preliminary data suggests that a conservative approach to management may allow faster healing and reduce the risk of recurrence from around 25 per cent to 5 per cent in the first year. Conservative management is also likely to reduce the risks of prolonged admission due to persistent leak from approximately 30 per cent to less than 10 per cent and of other complications related to interventional management. Clinicians are, however, unlikely to change a practice entrenched for decades and re-enforced by current international guidelines without robust evidence.

This study will significantly increase our understanding of Primary spontaneous pneumothorax and its optimal management. If allowing the lung to remain collapsed initially results in improved healing of the pleural defect and lower recurrence rates then this study will contribute to improve outcomes and a reduction in the morbidity associated with current treatment.


Leveraged Funds

- $401,153.70 NHMRC Grant
- $50,000 In-Kind Support


Dissemination

Publications:

- Kalafatis, L., Armstrong, R., Hall, E.J. and Keijzers, G., 2024. Management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax: Did practice change after a landmark multicentre study?. Emergency medicine Australasia: EMA. Doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.14427

- Brown, S.G., Ball, E.L., Perrin, K., Asha, S.E., Braithwaite, I., Egerton-Warburton, D., Jones, P.G., Keijzers, G., Kinnear, F.B., Kwan, B.C. and Lam, K.V., 2020. Conservative versus interventional treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(5), pp.405-415.

- Brown, S.G., Ball, E.L., Perrin, K., Read, C.A., Asha, S.E., Beasley, R., Egerton-Warburton, D., Jones, P.G., Keijzers, G., Kinnear, F.B. and Kwan, B.C., 2016. Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of invasive versus conservative management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. BMJ open, 6(9), p.e011826.


SHARE

Amount Awarded
$50,086


Program


Grant Scheme


Status
Complete


Principal Investigator:
Dr Frances Kinnear


Co Investigators:
Dr Stephen Macdonald
Dr Greg Treston
Dr Graham Simpson
Prof Gerben Keijzers
Dr Kylie Baker
A/Prof Kevin Chu


Associate Investigators:
Dr Philip Masel


Institution


Collaborating Institutions


CONTACT US +61 7 3112 8668 info@emfoundation.org.au Suite 1A 34 Sherwood Road Toowong, Qld 4066