Table 1.

Summary of the BTS and ACCP guidance on the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

	Size of pneumothorax	BTS	ACCP
Stablea and asymptomatic	Small	No intervention	No intervention
	Large	1. Needle aspiration If fails 2. Intercostal chest drain	Intercostal chest drain
Unstable or breathless	NA	1. Needle aspiration If fails 2. Intercostal chest drain	Intercostal chest drain

^aStable fulfilling all criteria - Respiratory rate <24 breaths/min; heart rate 60–120 bpm; O2 saturation >90% on room air; blood pressure >90/60; able to complete full sentences between breaths