Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
09:40
An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Prospective comparison between endosuturing and endostapling in treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax
1Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan. yujen.cheng@msa.hinet.net
Summary
Endoscopic suturing effectively closes pulmonary blebs for spontaneous pneumothorax, offering an alternative to stapling. This method avoids bleb resection and shows comparable outcomes to stapling, with slightly longer operative times.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic surgery
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Pulmonary medicine
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumothorax is often caused by ruptured pulmonary blebs.
- Direct management of these blebs is the definitive treatment.
- Thoracoscopic approaches offer minimally invasive options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of thoracoscopic endosuturing versus endostapling for treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
- To determine if bleb closure without resection is sufficient.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of 58 patients (9 female, 49 male) between 1999 and 2003.
- Two groups: endoscopic suturing to close blebs and endoscopic stapling to excise blebs.
- All procedures utilized three ports.
Main Results:
- No mortality or major morbidity in either group.
- Similar outcomes in operative time, blood loss, pleural drainage duration, and hospital stay between suturing and stapling groups.
- Operative time was significantly longer for the suturing group (P < 0.05).
- Recurrence rates were comparable (2 cases per group) during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Thoracoscopic endosuturing is an effective method for treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax by closing blebs without resection.
- This technique provides a viable alternative to bleb excision.
- Further research may explore optimizing operative time for the suturing technique.
