Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Published on: May 26, 2023
Thoracoscopic management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax
S S Connolly1, C Hurson, V Lynch
1Thoracic Surgery Unit, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the preferred option for the surgical management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP).
Aims:
To evaluate the role of thoracoscopic blebectomy with and without chemical pleurodesis.
Methods:
A retrospective study was performed on 113 consecutive cases carried out in one unit. RESULTS; One hundred and thirteen VATS procedures were performed on 108 patients. The mean age was 23 years (range 14-45). The male to female ratio was 82:26. Recurrent pneumothorax was the indication for surgery in 80%. Conversion to an open procedure was required in 10 cases (9%), most commonly due to severe adhesions. Successful endoscopic blebectomy was performed in 98 cases (87%), 48 of which had an additional chemical pleurodesis. Follow-up is currently to a mean of 28 months. Recurrence has occurred in eight cases, including only three in the group managed with additional chemical pleurodesis (6.25%).
Conclusion:
VATS with blebectomy and chemical pleurodesis is a safe and effective procedure in the management of PSP.
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