Patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) are at increased risk of pneumothorax recurrence. There is a lack of studies comparing the prognosis of primary pneumothorax and recurrent pneumothorax in LAM patients undergoing pleural fixation. Pneumothorax patients often present with recurrent pneumothorax. In addition, each recurrent pneumothorax has a significant impact on LAM patients, with hospital stays of up to 1 month, resulting in significant medical costs and severe psychological distress for the patient.
The recurrence rate of pneumothorax in LAM patients with initial pneumothorax and conservative treatment is about 65%, and the recurrence rate of pneumothorax in patients with pleural fixation is about 18% to 32%. Therefore, early pleural fixation at the time of pneumothorax in LAM patients helps to reduce the risk of pneumothorax recurrence.