A novel edge-marking method in pleural covering with video-assisted thoracic surgery

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Total pleural covering reinforces the visceral pleura, preventing pneumothorax in diffuse cystic lung diseases like lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
• Current thoracoscopic techniques for pleural covering are technically demanding, risking sheet disarrangement and incorrect grasping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simplified technique for total pleural covering during thoracoscopic surgery.
• To address the technical challenges associated with unfolding and applying surgical sheets during pleurodesis.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel technique using pre-folded surgical sheets with dotted line markings.
• Application of these marked sheets during reduced port thoracoscopic surgery for pleural covering.

Main Results:

• The dotted line markings on the surgical sheets clearly indicate the correct grasping points.
• This marking system significantly eased the thoracoscopic procedure, preventing errors in sheet manipulation.
• The technique proved effective for total pleural covering in reduced port thoracoscopic surgery.

Conclusions:

• Dotted line folded surgical sheets offer a practical solution to improve the ease and safety of thoracoscopic pleural covering.
• This innovative method is particularly beneficial for complex procedures like those required for diffuse cystic lung diseases.