Video-assisted thoracoscopy has recently evolved as an alternative to thoracotomy for several thoracic disorders. Spontaneous pneumothorax may be idealy suited for thoracoscopic management. We compared our results with thoracoscopic management of
spontaneous pneumothorax in 19 patients with a group of 11 patients previously subjected to axillary mini-thoracotomy. Indications of operation, sex distribution, and age were similar. There were no clinical significant differences in hospital
stay,
duration of chest tube, duration of operation, and amounts of parenteral analygesics between two groups.
Although the video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy was safe, effective, and newly developed, bullectomy by axillary mini-thoracotomy was acceptible also with excellent results for the patients.
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