Improvement of laparoscopic technique opened a wide spread field of indications for thoracoscopic surgery, Between April 1992 and November 1993 at Department of surgery, Holy Family Hospital, thoracoscopic surgery had been performed in 25
patients
of
spontaneous pneumothorax.
Thoracoscopic surgery was performed with laparoscopi material and instruments. Mean age was 34 years(range 17 to 66). Male to female ratio was 7.3 : 1. The indications are recurrent pneumothorax, persistent air leakage after closed thoracotomy
drainage
(CTD0 and visible or multiple bullae in chest X-ray film. The thoracoscopies were performed in 25 patients but operations were performed in 23 patients. Two patients were not be able to find bullae. The Operative procedures were Endo-loop
ligation(18
cases), Endo-loop ligation with continuous suture(4 cases), stapling with Endo-GIA(1 case). Chest tube was removed 2.9±1.3 days(mean) and patients were discharged after 6.8±2.4 days(mean). No significant complications were encountered and no
recurrence have been identified so far.
These patients have been cured of their problem and benefited from the decreased trauma of access by reduced pain, rapid recovery and decreased scarring of the skin.
In conclusion, we thought this procedure with be helpful for the patients of frcurrent spontneous pneumothorax and persistent air leakage after CTD.
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