VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACIC-SURGERY FOR THORASCOPIC RESECTION OF GIANT BULLA

This report outlines our experience of 6 patients who underwent video- assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using a linear endoscopic stapler to remove a giant bulla from the lung, Successful treatment with VATS was carried out in 4 patients, but the procedure needed to be changed to a thoracotomy in 2 patients - in one because of difficulty in single-l ung ventilation, and in the other, due to a persistent air leak, Thus, we conclude that giant bulla without any associated severe respirator y failure can be an indication for VATS.