M. Tsuchida et al., VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACIC-SURGERY FOR THORASCOPIC RESECTION OF GIANT BULLA, SURGERY TODAY-THE JAPANESE JOURNAL OF SURGERY, 26(5), 1996, pp. 349-352
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.