Risk factors for recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax after thoracoscopic surgery

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax recurs at a certain rate after thoracoscopic surgery, and risk factors for that recurrence are in question. The medical records of 248 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who were followed for more than 2 years after thoracoscopic surgery were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify possible risk factors. Twelve patients experienced the recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Patients who experienced the recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax were younger than patients who experienced no recurrence. A larger proportion of the patients who experienced recurrence did not undergo pleurodesis. The variables age, height, weight, body mass index, duration of air leakage, and pleurodesis (performed or not) with a p value less than 0.2 in univariate analysis were entered in multivariate analysis. A younger age and not undergoing pleurodesis were associated with a higher risk of postoperative ipsilateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Not undergoing pleurodesis and a younger age are possible risk factors for recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax after thoracoscopic surgery. Thoracic surgeons should pay more attention to pleurodesis, especially in younger patients.