Abstract
Objective: To understand the complications related between pneumothorax and elderly patients with COPD, as well as, therapeutic approaches and the importance of individualized monitoring of this group of patients. Bibliographic review: Pneumothorax is a medical emergency defined by the presence of air in the pleural cavity. It is classified as spontaneous or non-spontaneous originating from trauma. Spontaneous pneumothorax is subdivided into primary, when there is no underlying lung disease, and secondary, characterized by the presence of associated pulmonary pathologies such as COPD. COPD appears as a precondition for complications in elderly patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Among the complications of pneumothorax in elderly patients with COPD, there is a worsening in cardiopulmonary functions, chronic respiratory failure, long treatments with oxygen therapy and even death. Given the sensitivity of this condition, an adequate and individualized assessment of this pneumothorax is necessary, mainly because the majority of patients with COPD are elderly. Final considerations: So, to avoid serious complications in this group, it is necessary to reassess and monitor COPD in this population, so that the treatment is carried out as early, adequate and individualized as possible, avoiding not only the development of pneumothorax, but also the most serious and fatal complications.