How can you heal a punctured lung?

Remove leaked air: A collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is due to an air leak from the inside of the lung through the covering of the lung, out into the space between the lung and the ribs. The site of the leak has some damage, which will heal itself. The doctor inserts a catheter or chest tube between 2 ribs and sucks the leaked air out. The lung then can re-inflate to full size and heals the leak over a few days.

Many ways: A punctured lung causing a pneumothorax may be treated with small tubes or chest tubes. Occasionally videoassisted thoracic surgery (vats) may be required to seal the puncture with specialized staplers.