Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri
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Medanta - The Medicity
CH Baktawar Singh Rd, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001
CH Baktawar Singh Rd, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri
03 September, 2026
adminA sudden sharp pain in the chest accompanied by difficulty breathing can be frightening. One possible cause is pneumothorax, commonly known as a collapsed lung. The condition occurs when air enters the pleural space between the lung and chest wall, creating pressure that can cause the lung to partially or completely collapse.
Pneumothorax can range from a small condition that may be monitored to a serious medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. The appropriate treatment depends on the size of the pneumothorax, symptoms, underlying cause, and overall health of the patient.
For patients searching for Pneumothorax Treatment in Gurgaon or Pneumothorax Treatment in Delhi, timely evaluation by an experienced thoracic surgeon can help determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri is a Senior Consultant Thoracic and Lung Transplant Surgeon at the Institute of Chest Surgery, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, with expertise in thoracic surgery, VATS, robotic surgery, and management of pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax occurs when air collects in the pleural space surrounding the lung. Normally, this space contains only a very small amount of fluid and allows the lung to move smoothly during breathing.
When air enters this space, pressure can build up and prevent the lung from expanding normally.
Depending on the amount of air and the underlying cause, the lung may collapse partially or completely.
A pneumothorax can occur spontaneously, after an injury, because of an underlying lung condition, or as a complication of certain medical procedures.
There are several possible causes.
This occurs without an obvious underlying lung disease. It can happen when small air-filled sacs called blebs or bullae on the surface of the lung rupture.
This occurs in people who already have an underlying lung condition. Conditions such as COPD and other chronic lung diseases can increase the risk.
A chest injury, accident, rib fracture, or penetrating trauma can allow air to enter the pleural space.
This can occur as a complication of certain medical procedures, including some procedures involving the lungs or chest.
Tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency. Air enters the pleural space and becomes trapped, causing increasing pressure inside the chest. This can interfere with breathing and circulation and requires immediate treatment.
Symptoms vary according to the size and type of pneumothorax.
Common symptoms include:
A small pneumothorax may sometimes produce relatively mild symptoms, while a large or tension pneumothorax can cause severe breathing difficulty.
Sudden chest pain and significant breathing difficulty should not be ignored.
Some cases require urgent medical attention.
Seek emergency medical care if a person develops:
A tension pneumothorax can become life-threatening because pressure inside the chest can affect both the lungs and circulation. Immediate medical treatment is required.
A doctor will generally assess the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination findings.
Imaging is commonly used to confirm the diagnosis.
A chest X-ray is frequently used to identify a collapsed lung and estimate its size.
A CT scan can provide more detailed information and may be particularly useful when the condition is complicated or the cause needs further investigation.
Chest ultrasound can also help detect air in the pleural space in appropriate clinical settings.
The treating doctor determines which investigations are necessary.
Treatment depends on several factors, including:
Treatment may include observation, oxygen, needle aspiration, chest tube drainage, pleurodesis, or surgery.
A small pneumothorax with minimal symptoms may sometimes be managed with observation and appropriate medical monitoring.
Supplemental oxygen may be used in selected cases.
The patient may undergo repeat imaging to confirm that the lung is expanding and the pneumothorax is resolving.
The decision to observe should always be made by a medical professional.
In selected patients, a needle or catheter may be used to remove air from the pleural space.
This can allow the lung to re-expand without requiring a surgical procedure.
Whether aspiration is appropriate depends on the patient’s condition and the size and type of pneumothorax.
For a larger pneumothorax, significant symptoms, or persistent air leakage, a chest tube may be inserted into the pleural space.
The tube allows trapped air to escape and helps the lung re-expand.
Patients are monitored during this process, and imaging may be performed to assess lung expansion.
Not every pneumothorax requires surgery.
Surgical treatment may be considered when there is:
The decision is made after assessing the patient’s clinical condition and imaging.
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that can be used for selected pneumothorax patients.
During VATS, the surgeon uses small chest incisions, a camera, and specialized instruments to examine and treat the source of the air leak.
The procedure may involve identifying and removing blebs or bullae responsible for the leak, followed by a procedure designed to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri’s website describes VATS as an approach used for pneumothorax treatment and notes its minimally invasive nature.
Pleurodesis is a procedure intended to prevent recurrent accumulation of air in the pleural space.
The treatment causes the lung and chest wall surfaces to adhere to each other, reducing the potential space where air could collect.
Pleurodesis may be performed through surgical techniques or, in selected situations, using chemical agents.
The appropriate method depends on the patient’s condition and the reason for treatment.
For selected patients requiring surgery, VATS may provide a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery.
Potential advantages of minimally invasive surgery can include:
However, VATS is not appropriate for every patient. The surgical approach depends on the complexity of the disease, previous surgery, anatomy, and the surgeon’s assessment.
In certain complex situations, open surgery may still be required.
Patients looking for Pneumothorax Treatment in Gurgaon should consider both the surgeon’s thoracic expertise and the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive care.
Important factors include:
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri provides pneumothorax treatment at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram. His practice includes VATS and other thoracic surgical procedures.
Patients searching for Pneumothorax Treatment in Delhi may require anything from observation and drainage to specialized thoracic surgery depending on the severity of the condition.
For patients in Delhi NCR, specialized thoracic care is also available in nearby Gurugram.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri’s pneumothorax service is based at Medanta – The Medicity in Sector 38, Gurugram, and his website specifically provides information for patients seeking pneumothorax care in Delhi and Gurgaon.
For patients travelling from Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, or other NCR locations, the choice of specialist should depend on the clinical condition and required treatment rather than location alone.
Some patients experience recurrent pneumothorax.
Recurrence may occur because of:
Patients with repeated episodes may require specialist evaluation to determine whether a definitive procedure such as VATS and pleurodesis should be considered.
The goal is not only to treat the current episode but, where appropriate, to reduce the risk of future episodes.
Many patients recover successfully after appropriate treatment.
However, the possibility of recurrence depends on the cause, type of pneumothorax, underlying lung condition, smoking history, and treatment received.
Patients who have recurrent episodes should discuss preventive treatment options with a thoracic specialist.
Recovery depends on the type of pneumothorax and treatment.
A small pneumothorax managed conservatively may resolve relatively quickly, while patients who require chest tube drainage or surgery may need a longer recovery period.
After treatment, patients may experience:
Recovery should be monitored by the treating medical team.
Patients should follow instructions regarding physical activity, medication, wound care, travel, and follow-up imaging.
The timing of returning to work, exercise, driving, flying, or other activities varies between patients.
Factors include:
Patients should obtain clearance from their treating doctor before returning to strenuous physical activities or air travel.
The existing clinical information on Dr. Puri’s website also advises caution with air travel after pneumothorax and highlights restrictions related to underwater diving.
Although recurrence cannot always be prevented, certain measures may help.
Smoking can increase the risk of pneumothorax and recurrence. Patients who smoke should discuss quitting with their healthcare provider.
Attend follow-up appointments and complete recommended imaging.
If COPD, asthma, infection, or another lung condition is contributing to the problem, appropriate management is important.
Patients with recurrent pneumothorax may benefit from discussing surgical or pleural procedures with a thoracic surgeon.
Pneumothorax directly affects the lungs and pleural space. While initial management may sometimes be performed by emergency or respiratory teams, recurrent or complicated cases may require specialist thoracic surgical evaluation.
A thoracic surgeon can assess:
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri is a Senior Consultant Thoracic and Lung Transplant Surgeon at the Institute of Chest Surgery, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram.
His practice includes minimally invasive thoracic surgery, VATS, robotic thoracic surgery, lung cancer surgery, lung transplantation, and management of complex thoracic conditions.
His pneumothorax treatment services include evaluation and management of both straightforward and recurrent cases, with VATS available for appropriate patients.
Pneumothorax is a condition in which air enters the pleural space and causes partial or complete collapse of the lung.
It can be mild or serious depending on its size, cause, and the patient’s condition. Tension pneumothorax is a medical emergency.
Yes. Some small pneumothoraces may resolve with observation and appropriate medical management. Larger, persistent, or recurrent cases may require drainage or surgery.
VATS may be considered for recurrent pneumothorax, persistent air leaks, or selected patients where a definitive procedure is appropriate.
Pleurodesis aims to make the lung and chest wall surfaces adhere to reduce the space where air could accumulate and thereby reduce recurrence.
Recovery varies depending on the size of the pneumothorax and the treatment required. Patients treated with surgery generally require more recovery time than those managed conservatively.
Yes. Recurrence is possible, particularly after spontaneous pneumothorax. Patients with recurrent episodes may require specialist assessment for definitive treatment.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri provides thoracic surgical care for pneumothorax at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram.
Yes. Gurugram is part of the Delhi NCR region, and patients from Delhi may seek specialist thoracic care in Gurugram depending on their medical needs.
Pneumothorax can range from a small, self-resolving condition to a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Correct diagnosis and timely treatment are important for restoring lung expansion and reducing the risk of complications.
For patients searching for Pneumothorax Treatment in Gurgaon or Pneumothorax Treatment in Delhi, treatment may include observation, oxygen therapy, needle aspiration, chest tube drainage, pleurodesis, or minimally invasive VATS surgery depending on the individual case.
Recurrent or complicated pneumothorax should be evaluated by an experienced thoracic surgeon to determine whether definitive treatment can reduce the risk of recurrence.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri provides specialized thoracic surgical care at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, including VATS-based treatment for appropriately selected pneumothorax patients.
Senior Consultant – Thoracic & Lung Transplant Surgeon
Institute of Chest Surgery, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram
Phone: +91 828-500-0787 / +91 982-100-9706
Email: drharshvardhanpuri@gmail.com
Category : Pneumothorax