SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT PNEUMOTHORAX IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS BYLOCALIZED APICAL THORACOSCOPIC TALC POUDRAGE

Thoracoscopic talc poudrage of the entire pleural surface constitutes successful treatment of recurrent pneumothorax in cystic fibrosis (CF) ; however, subsequent lung transplantation is seriously jeopardized du e to the development of extensive pleural adhesions. We describe a 27- year-old patient with CF with recurrent right-sided pneumothorax, refr actory to chest tube drainage and to chemical (tetracycline) pleurodes is, who was successfully created with a localized, apical thoracoscopi c talc poudrage, thereby preserving the possibility of subsequent lung transplantation.