Classification

Types based on etiology.

Primary Pneumothorax which occurs without any known chest or respiratory trauma or disease condition.

Secondary Pneumothorax which occurs due to a known chest or respiratory trauma or disease condition.

Types based on severity

Simple pneumothorax in which air accumulation does not cause mediastinal or heart shift.

Tension pneumothorax in which progressive air accumulation causes mediastinal or heart shift.

Types cause on nature of injury

Open pneumothorax in which there is a communication between the atmosphere and pleural space through thoracic wall.

Closed pneumothorax, in which thoracic wall is intact with the presence of communication between pleural space and alveolar spaces.