Rare lung & airway condition
Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax
A second spontaneous pneumothorax changes the conversation: recurrence risk is high, definitive pleurodesis surgery is usually offered, and an underlying cause should be actively sought.
Key points
The essentials at a glance.
What to look out for, how the diagnosis is confirmed, who looks after it, and the options that exist.
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01
After one primary spontaneous pneumothorax, recurrence occurs in roughly a third; after a second, definitive treatment is standard advice.
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02
Surgical options - VATS pleurectomy or abrasion with removal of blebs - reduce recurrence to a few per cent.
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03
Recurrent or bilateral pneumothorax, or one in a woman, should prompt a search for causes: Birt-Hogg-Dubé, LAM, catamenial disease, Marfan syndrome.
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CT of the chest (and thinking of the kidneys in Birt-Hogg-Dubé) informs both surgery and diagnosis.
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05
Smoking - including cannabis - multiplies recurrence risk; diving is generally excluded without definitive surgery, and flying waits until confirmed resolution.
Understanding it
What it is, and what happens next.
In plain English - what is going on, how specialists confirm it, and the routes to treatment in the UK.
A first collapsed lung in a tall young smoker is usually an isolated misfortune; a second is a pattern. Each recurrence carries risk and disruption, and modern keyhole surgery is effective enough that guidelines shift decisively toward definitive pleurodesis once lightning strikes twice - or even at the first episode in high-risk occupations.
Alongside fixing the pleura, recurrence should trigger a cause-hunt that is frequently skipped: a fine-slice CT looking for the basal cysts of Birt-Hogg-Dubé, the diffuse cysts of LAM in women, or apical blebs alone; identifying a genetic cause changes family advice, kidney surveillance and future management, not just the operation note. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS outpatient referrals for problems like this can take several months, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP or specialist knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, speak to them.
Published 2026-09-27 · Next review 2027-09-27
Frequently asked
Common questions about Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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Can you explain what recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax is?
Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax is a medical condition that can affect people differently depending on severity, underlying cause and overall health. A clinician can confirm the diagnosis and explain what it means specifically for you.
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What causes recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax?
Causes vary and can include genetic, environmental, lifestyle and other health-related factors, and in some people no single clear cause is found. Your clinician can help identify anything relevant to your own case.
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What does recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax look like or feel like?
Symptoms vary between individuals and depend on which body systems are affected and how significant the underlying problem is. Keeping track of what you notice, and when, helps your clinician assess it accurately.
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How worried should I be about recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax?
Severity varies from mild and self-limiting to more significant, depending on the underlying cause and how it's managed. A clinical assessment is the best way to understand what it means in your specific situation.
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Is recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax hereditary or genetic?
This depends on the specific condition — some cases have a genetic or familial component, while others are linked more to environmental, lifestyle or other health factors. If you have a relevant family history, it's worth mentioning to your clinician.
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Is there a cure for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax?
Many cases can be effectively treated or managed, and prevention strategies exist for some causes, though this depends on the specific underlying reason in your case. Your clinician can explain what's realistic for you.
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How is recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax treated?
Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and severity, and can range from simple lifestyle or self-management measures to medical or specialist intervention.
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What is the long-term outlook for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax?
This varies depending on the underlying cause, how early it's identified, and how well it responds to treatment — your clinician can give a more specific expectation once assessed.
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When should specialist referral be considered for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax?
Specialist referral is worth considering if symptoms persist, are getting worse, or aren't responding to initial treatment — your GP can help decide the right pathway and urgency.
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When should I see a doctor about recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a doctor if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily life — earlier assessment generally leads to better management. NHS routine referrals for this kind of concern often take 20–45 weeks or longer depending on the area, while a private consultant can typically see you within about 2 weeks, with faster access to scans and specialist opinion.