THORACOSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX IN PATIENTS OVER50 YEARS OLD - A COMPARISON WITH YOUNGER PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to compare thoracoscopic treatment for s pontaneous pneumothorax in patients over 50 years old (OG) and younger patients (YG). Thoracoscopic treatment was performed in both groups u sing the same patient selection criteria: persistence of an air leak a fter tube thoracostomy drainage, ipsilateral recurrence, and bilateral pneumothoraces. Thoracoscopic treatment was performed in nine older p atients (OG) over a two-year period. Their ages ranged from 50 to 81 y ears (average: 66 years), The mean operative time, postoperative drain age period, and hospital stay after surgery were 120 min, 6.3 days, an d 10.7 days, respectively. In the YG, these indices were 71 min, 1.5 d ays, and 5.3 days, respectively. Each factor was significantly prolong ed in the OG (p < 0.05). However, there were no major perioperative co mplications or recurrences 3-24 months after surgery in either group. Thus, thoracoscopic surgery is also effective in the treatment of spon taneous pneumothorax in patients over 50 years old.