[Treatment of recurrent pneumothorax applying fibrin adhesive under endoscopy]

Recurrent or chronic pneumothorax may be treated by thoracoscopy and the administration of substances to achieve a symphysis. Several substances have been tried and amongst these talc currently gives the best result. This study looked at the action of a fibrin adhesive (Tissucol) administered through a thoracoscope to achieve a pleural symphysis. 32 patients were treated, all suffering from recurrent pneumothoraces and a thoracoscopy was carried out under local anaesthetic using the standard technique, the Tissucol was spread over the apico-axillary region in a dose of 2 ml. After one year's follow up a success rate of 75% was noted. If category IV pneumothorax was excluded (bullous dystrophy) the percentage of favourable results was 35%. The painless nature of Tissucol applications was noted and this method thus gives satisfactory results in pneumothorax where there is no apparent bullous dystrophy and perhaps can be used as a therapeutic technique during a thoracoscopy where important bullous dystrophy is not noted as the cause of the pneumothorax.