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Background: Idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax (ISP) results from rupture of blebs, bullas, or diseased alveolar walls. Initiating mechanisms may relate to increased transpulmonary pressure. The possible impact of changes in atmospheric pressure (Patm) on the occurrence of ISP remains uncertain., Methods: We studied the relationship between the occurrence of ISP and meteorological conditions during a 4-year period in the urban area of Bologna, Italy, in which all cases of pneumothorax can be exhaustively identified. For each day of the study period, Patm and ambient temperature were obtained from the local meteorological institute. A cluster was defined as the admission of at least two patients with pneumothorax within 3 days of each other., Results: There were 294 episodes of ISP; 247 (84%) occurred in 76 clusters. Clusters were significantly associated with wider differences in Patm between the index day (ie, the first day of the cluster) and the previous day (ie, the difference in mean [+/- SEM] Patm, -1.23 +/- 0.45 vs + 0.04 +/- 0.12 mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.01[analysis of variance]). Similarly, pneumothorax and storms (but not temperature) were significantly associated (p < 0.0001 [chi(2) test])., Conclusions: This large-scale study shows that patients with ISP are hospitalized in clusters and suggests that important variations in Patm may be involved. The knowledge of this relationship may help to understand the pathophysiology of the disease.

Background: There are no recommendations about admission to an ICU after a major lung resection and there are considerable differences among institutions in this respect., Objectives: To audit the practice of admission to an ICU after a major lung resection and evaluate factors predicting the need for intensive care., Methods: Clinicalrecords of all patients who underwent major pulmonary resections in a 14-month period were reviewed retrospectively. The criteria for postoperative admission to the ICU were: (1) standard pneumonectomy if comorbidity index (CI) >0 and/or ASA score >1, and/or abnormal spirometry or arterial gas analysis; (2) extended pneumonectomy; (3) lobectomy if CI >or=4 and/or ASA >or=3; (4) lobectomy if FEV(1) <60% of predicted; (5) lobectomy if FEV(1) is between 60 and 80% and hypercapnia., Results: Among the 49 patients postoperatively admitted to the surgical ward, only 1 needed late intensive care. Among the 55 patients admitted to the ICU, 25 did not require specific intensive care and were discharged 24 h postoperatively, whereas the remaining 30 patients required specific intensive care. Multivariate analysis identified ASA score, predictive postoperative DL(CO), and predictive postoperative product (PPP) as independent predictors of a need for admission to an ICU., Conclusion: This empirical protocol was useful in identifying patients not likely to need admission to the ICU. ASA score, predictive postoperative DL(CO), and PPP are independent predictors of a need for admission to an ICU.