| No intervention | Aspiration | Intercostal drain | ||
| Primary pneumothoraxn = 33 | No dyspnoea, <2 cm rim of air | 6 (75%) | 1 (12.5%) | 1 (12.5%) |
| Dyspnoea and/or >2 cm rim of air | 2 (8%) | 9 (36%) | 14 (56%) | |
| Secondary pneumothoraxn = 18 | Not all of dyspnoeic, >50 years and >2 cm rim of air | 0 (0%) | 1 (20%) | 4 (80%) |
| Dyspnoea + >50 years + >2 cm rim of air | 0 (0%) | 3 (23%) | 10 (77%) |