Video-assisted thoracoscopic treatment of giant bullae associated with emphysema

Surgical treatment of bullous emphysema has received renewed attention because of recent advances in minimally invasive techniques. We describe our experience in the thoracoscopic management of patients with bullous emphysema over the last 5 years.

Twenty-five patients (24 male, one female) with a mean age of 57 years with giant bullae associated with various degree of underlying emphysema, were operated on thoracoscopically at our Institution. The severity of the emphysema was classified according to the criteria of the American Thoracic Society: five patients were in stage I (FEV 1 > 50%), eight patients were in stage II (FEV1 35 to 49%) and 12 patients were in stage III (FEV1 < 35%). Nine patients underwent operation to treat complications related to bullae, 12 presented dyspnoea and four were asymptomatic. We performed 23 unilateral and two bilateral staged thoracoscopic procedures.

No intraoperative complications developed. Mean operative time was 107+/-25 min. No patient dead. Mean post-operative chest tube duration was 8+/-4.13 days and mean post-operative hospital stay was 11+/-5.76 days. The most frequent post-operative complication was air-leakage that in 12 patients lasted more than 7 days. Pulmonary function tests were obtained 3-6 months after the operation and statistical comparison between pre-operative and post-operative data was performed using Student's paired t-test. We observed best results in I and II stage patients, but also stage III patients experienced clinical improvement and better quality of life.

Our experience supports the safety and effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopy for the treatment of giant bullae. Minimally invasive approach is fully justified especially in the group of patients with severe impairment of lung function.