Hello, I saw your post to me on the (topis PUNCTURED LUNG) I'm 44 and I too had a punctured lung while in High School from a motorcycle accident...Just they other day I had x rays agian because of a fall to the ground on my belly, and the Doctor said he could see I had a punctured lung before..I was nervous and didn't ask all the questions I should have....
Have you had another x-ray since High School? And can they tell we had a punctured lung? If so what did your x-ray look like years later???
He said the bottom of my one lung looked like I had a little fluid or old scarring in it...
Thanks for posting to my other posts!! Holle

Hey-
I have had chest xrays since my surgery and yes, there is minor scarring that shows up on the xray. Depending on how skilled the doctor is, he/she will know in an instant that its scaring from surgery, etc. It is supposedly nothing to be worried about.

The first time my lung collapsed, I had emergency surgery in the ER where they stuck a tube through my chest while i was awake (can we say the most painful thing ever) and then the lung re-expanded. I could always feel air bubble out of it but nothing major. then a year later, my lung collaped again (not as bad as first time though). Then i had *Real* surgery where they make four tiny incisions and went in with video cameras and fused (scaring) my lung to the chest cavity....well, needless to say, i have been lung collapse free for about 8 years or so....

js