Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for postoperative recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax

• Published in: Journal of thoracic disease Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 52 - 55
• Main Authors: Chou, Shah-Hwa, Li, Hsien-Pin, Lee, Yen-Lung, Lee, Jui-Ying, Chiang, Hung-Hsing, Tsai, Dong-Lin, Huang, Meei-Feng, Lin, Tsun-En
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Pioneer Bioscience Publishing Company 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Original; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; Postoperative recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax
• ISSN: 2072-1439; 2077-6624
• DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.01.09

Postoperative recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a troublesome complication and an important issue to be discussed. This study is to determine whether Re-video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) should be performed for postoperative recurrent PSP (PORP). Patients who had underwent needlescopic VATS for PSP between Jan. 2007 and Dec. 2011 were reviewed. VATS was initially performed on 239 patients with PSP in total. Eleven patients were found to have PORP during a follow-up period of 36.95 months. Nine patients received Re-VATS and only two patients receiving conservative treatment had no further recurrence. No conversion to thoracotomy, blood transfusion and prolong air leak were recorded. Even for smaller size cases, Re-VATS, which is technically feasible, safe and effective with better cosmetics and minor postoperative pain, should be a strong contender as priority treatment.