Final answer:
A small pneumothorax refers to a collapsed lung that requires surgical management in the operating room (OR). The goal of surgery is to reinflate and stabilize the lung.
Step-by-step explanation:
A small pneumothorax refers to a collapsed lung that is believed to be related to subtle abnormalities in connective tissue.
If a patient with a small pneumothorax needs to go to the operating room (OR) for management, it means that surgical intervention is required to address the collapsed lung. In the OR, the surgeon will perform a procedure such as chest tube insertion or pleurodesis to reinflate and stabilize the lung.
The management of a small pneumothorax in the OR aims to relieve symptoms, prevent further lung collapse, and facilitate lung re-expansion.