How C.-H.HSAO-HSUN HSUJIN-SHING CHEN2021-05-242021-05-2420130929-6646https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84890229279&doi=10.1016%2fj.jfma.2013.10.016&partnerID=40&md5=c25a51f05e7705e2a86eed9bdd4635d9https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/561887Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the pleural cavity. Spontaneous pneumothorax, occurring without antecedent traumatic or iatrogenic cause, is sub-divided into primary and secondary. The severity of pneumothorax could be varied from asymptomatic to hemodynamically compromised. Optimal management of this benign disease has been a matter of debate. In addition to evacuating air from the pleural space by simple aspiration or chest tube drainage, the management of spontaneous pneumothorax also focused on ceasing air leakage and preventing recurrences by surgical intervention or chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a procedure to achieve symphysis between the two layers of pleura by sclerosing agents. In the current practice guidelines, chemical pleurodesis is reserved for patients unable or unwilling to receive surgery. Recent researches have found that chemical pleurodesis is also safe and effective in preventing pneumothorax recurrence in patients with the first episode of spontaneous pneumothorax or after thoracoscopic surgery and treating persistent air leakage after thoracoscopic surgery. In this article we aimed at exploring the role of chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax, including ceasing air leakage and preventing recurrence. The indications, choice of sclerosants, safety, effects, and possible side effects or complications of chemical pleurodesis are also reviewed here. ? 2013.[SDGs]SDG3bleomycin; doxycycline; irritant agent; mepacrine; minocycline; picibanil; povidone iodine; sclerosing agent; silver nitrate; talc; tetracycline; antiinfective agent; antineoplastic agent; antineoplastic antibiotic; bleomycin; minocycline; picibanil; povidone iodine; talc; tetracycline; topical antiinfective agent; adult respiratory distress syndrome; blood patch; chemical pleurodesis; chronic obstructive lung disease; computer assisted tomography; cystic fibrosis; disease classification; drainage tube; drug fever; dyspnea; emphysema; empyema; fever; fibrosis; hematothorax; human; hypertransaminasemia; inflammation; low drug dose; lung aspiration; lung infection; lymphangioleiomyomatosis; malignant pleura effusion; patient safety; pleura effusion; pleurodesis; pneumonia; recurrent disease; review; sex ratio; spontaneous pneumothorax; thoracoscopy; thorax drainage; thorax pain; thorax radiography; treatment indication; video assisted thoracoscopic surgery; wound infection; pneumothorax; secondary prevention; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antineoplastic Agents; Bleomycin; Humans; Minocycline; Picibanil; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Povidone-Iodine; Secondary Prevention; Talc; Tetracyclinereview10.1016/j.jfma.2013.10.016242686132-s2.0-84890229279