Thoracotomy versus video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax

We reviewed our experience with thoracotomy (TH) and video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy (VAT) for the treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. Nine patients underwent 10 VATs. One patient had bilateral procedures 1 week apart. Nine patients underwent 10 THs. One patient had bilateral TH at the same session. The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay for VAT and TH was 5.7 days and 6.4, respectively. VAT operative time was longer (128 vs 93.6 min in the TH group); however, the estimated blood loss was larger in the TH group (136 vs 108.3 ml in the VAT group). There were no deaths in either group. In the VAT group, one patient had recurrence of pneumothorax 1 month after surgery. In the TH group, there was no recurrence of pneumothorax, but one patient had chronic pain at the site of the thoracotomy incision. One patient was lost to follow-up in each group. We conclude that VAT is a safe and reasonably effective treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. However, large series with long-term follow-up are needed to place this procedure in its proper perspective.