Video-assisted thoracic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax: outcome of 189 cases

The crucial role of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax is well acknowledged today. Experiences of such patients undergoing VATS were reported to evaluate the feasibility of such surgical approach. From January 1, 1996 to January 1, 2002, 189 patients (18.3%) underwent VATS treatment for first onset or recurrent primary pneumothorax (n = 134), secondary pneumothorax (n = 49), and re-do VATS (n = 6) pneumothorax of 1034 VATS procedures performed by one surgeon. The surgical approaches for these patients were through scope and working ports, and in six (3.2%) of them, the procedures were converted to open thoracotomy because of pleural adhesion or other causes. Bullae over apices or other sites of lung were identified in 164 (86.8%) patients. Mechanical pleurodesis with gauze abrasion or electrocoagulation was performed on all patients, and chemical pleurodesis with minocycline intrapleural injection or talc powder poudrage was performed on 144 (76.2%) of them. The bullae was excised with endo-GIA (n = 122), endo-loop (n = 23), electroablation (n = 9), and suturing through open or endoscopic port (n = 10). The operation time ranged from 23 to 355 minutes (42.4 +/- 12.6 minutes). The mean postoperative chest tube duration and hospital stay were 2.4 +/- 1.3 (range, 1-26) and 4.3 +/- 1.2 (range, 1-35) days. Complication occurred in 15 cases (7.9%), including 9 patients with persistent air-leakage (> 7 days), 3 patients with bleeding, 6 patients with pneumonia or ventilator dependence, and 3 patients with wound infection. Recurrence occurred in six (3.2%) patients. Two patients (1.1%) died of complications related to underlying disease (severe emphysema) postoperatively. VATS treatment is a good choice for the treatment of recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax. It can also be used for patients with first onset spontaneous or traumatic pneumothorax with persistent air leakage or secondary pneumothorax. We preferred bullectomy with endo-GIA because it was safer, and the specimen could possibly reveal the underlying disease.