VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACOSCOPIC SURGERY FOR PRIMARY SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been suggested as the most appropriate choice for spontaneous pneumothorax. Thirty-two patie nts (30 males, two females, age range from 16 to 42) with primary spon taneous pneumothorax (PSP) are reported. All had mechanical pleurodesi s with Marlex mesh. Blebs or bullae could be identified in 24 patients (75%). All bullae over 2 cm were either excised (11 patients) or liga ted (five patients). The median operating time was 45 min. There was m inimal postoperative discomfort and the median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. There was one minor wound infection and one recurrenc e (mean follow up of 11 months). It is concluded that VATS is a quick, safe and effective approach for the treatment of PSP. Long-term resul ts will better define its true merit in thoracic surgery.