Additional mechanical pleurodesis after thoracoscopic wedge resection and covering procedure for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Additional mechanical pleurodesis for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is believed to reduce the recurrence of PSP, and a covering procedure with absorbable mesh also shows comparable results. This study was conducted to determine whether additional mechanical pleurodesis would be effective in reducing recurrence after thoracoscopic wedge resection and covering procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2003 and August 2005, 99 patients underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy with staple line covering with absorbable cellulose mesh and fibrin glue followed by an additional mechanical pleurodesis. These patients were compared with 98 patients who underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy with staple line coverage alone. RESULTS: The additional mechanical pleurodesis group had findings comparable to those of the coverage group for duration of postoperative chest drainage, length of hospital stay, and complication rate. After median follow-up of 29.2 months, postoperative recurrence occurred in four patients (4.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Additional mechanical pleurodesis after covering procedure is also effective in decreasing postoperative recurrence of PSP.