Video-assisted thoracic surgery: primary therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax?

Ann Thorac Surg. 1995 Oct;60(4):931-3; discussion 934-5. doi: 10.1016/0003-4975(95)00598-f.

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the role of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in current therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax.

Methods: We compared a retrospective series of 89 patients treated conventionally with a consecutive group of 30 patients undergoing VATS pleural abrasion. The 89 earlier patients were predominantly male (81%). Treatment groups included observation/aspiration (7 or 17%), tube thoracostomy (32 or 36%), multiple tubes (7 or 9%), and thoracotomy (43 or 48%). Of the 30 patients treated with VATS, 18 (66%) were male. Primary indications for operation were recurrent pneumothorax (17) and persistent air leak (9).

Results: Hospital lengths of stay (LOS) for the earlier group were 5 days for simple tube and 7 days for primary thoracotomy; LOS for initial intervention followed by thoractomy exceeded 15 days in all subgroups. The average LOS in the VATS group was 13 days; 6 patients treated with primary VATS (no chest tube) had a mean LOS of 6.5 days. Complications included 3 (10%) prolonged air leaks (more than 7 days) and 2 (7%) early recurrences.

Conclusions: We do not recommend VATS as primary therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax; tube thoracostomy remains the treatment of choice. However, we strongly support surgical intervention early (3 days) in patients with a persistent air leak, and as primary therapy in a nonurgent situation if standard indications exist. This study shows no advantage of VATS over conventional thoracotomy in hospital stay or complication rate.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumothorax / surgery*
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thoracostomy*
  • Thoracotomy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Video Recording