Yh. Yoon et al., Management of persistent or recurrent pneumothorax with a two millimeter mini-videothoracoscope, J KOR MED S, 15(5), 2000, pp. 507-509
The aim of this study was to assess whether a 2 mm mini-videothoracoscope c
ould be used as a conventional videothoracoscope in the management of pneum
othorax. Thirty patients of ages from 15 to 35 years with recurrent or pers
istent pneumothorax were involved in this study. The subjects consisted of
27 males and three females. The indications for videothoracoscopic surgery
were ipsilateral recurrent pneumothorax in 12 (40%), persistent air leakage
in 15 (50%), visible bullae in 2 (6%), and 1 bilateral pneumothorax (3%).
The mean operation time was 42.9+/-12.9 min. The average number of uses for
Endo-GIA was 1.9+/-1.3 times and chest tube indwelling time was 3.8+/-2.7
days. The average amount of keptoprofen(R) (100 mg/2 mL/ampule) used on the
first postoperative day was 1.2+/-1.1 ampules. No parenteral opioids were
given to the patients for pain control after the procedures. After a follow
up of 8 to 20 months, there was only one recurrence among the patients. In
conclusion, a 2 mm videothoracoscope, in selective cases, can be successfu
lly used as conventional videothoracoscope to manage persistent or recurren
t pneumothorax with cosmetically excellent results.