What could a thoracotomy do for a pneumothorax?

DX & RX: Thoracotomy opens your chest to let your surgeon diagnose and treat the cause of your pneumothorax. However, it is very common these days to utilize thoracoscopy instead - far less invasive/painful.

Treatment: Agree with dr tsai. It is very uncommon to use thoracotomy approach for a simple pneumothorax. If surgery is indicated, it is most often by minimally invasive technique (vats).