How long is a hospital stay for a collapsed lung?

The hospital stay for a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) depends on the severity of the condition and the treatment required. For minor cases where the lung collapse is small, observation and oxygen therapy may only require a short stay of a few hours to 1-2 days. Moderate to severe cases involving a chest tube to remove air or fluid typically result in a hospital stay of 2-7 days, depending on how quickly the lung re-expands.

If surgery, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or pleurodesis, is needed to treat a recurrent or complicated pneumothorax, the hospital stay may extend to 5-10 days, including recovery time. For life-threatening conditions like tension pneumothorax, immediate emergency intervention is required, and the length of hospitalization varies based on complications and the patient’s response to treatment.