Delayed COVID-19 sequel - A challenging case of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax

Abstract

Pneumothorax, as a consequence of COVID-19 infection, has become an established entity but the delayed occurrence of pneumothorax after recovery from the illness is less commonly reported. We present a case of delayed recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, presenting four weeks after recovery from COVID-19 in a previously healthy middle-aged gentleman, for which uniportal-VATS pleurectomy was performed but the cause of pneumothorax could not be ascertained. This report brings to light, the importance of continued surveillance of COVID-19 survivors, the unpredictability of the disease process, and the challenges of thoracic surgery in this unique subset of patients.