In the past 8 years, 332 persons have had a pulmonary resection at the Kwangju
Christian Hospital. One hundred and seventy three patients had an orthodox resection,
while 159 patients had a resection using a mechanical stapler.
Comparison of the two methods was done. The results are as follows:
1. Kinds of Resection:
In patients having an orthodox resection here were 13(8%) who had a lobectomy
combined with a segmental resection, and 12 (7%) who had a segmental or wedge
resection only. Among patients resected using the stapler, 23(14%) had a lobectomy with
segmental resection, and 32 (20%) had a segmental or wedge resection only. The
increased percentage of the fact that such resections are easier using the stapler, that
more lung tissue can be preserved, and that the operation is performed more quickly.
2. Drainage:
After resection using the stapler drainage tended to be less. Thus, in orthodox
resections 60% of patients had more than 500ml of drainage, but in resections using the
stapler almost half of the patients, (52%) had less than 500 ml of drainage.
3. Chest tubes:
In general chest tubes could be removed earlier in the patients receiving resection
with the stapler. This was due to decreased air leaks, and to decreased drainage.
4. Complications:
a) There were 8 cases of bronchopleural fistula in the orthodox resection group
(4.6%). In the cases where the stapler was used here were two bronchopleural fistulas
(1.2%)
b) Thirteen Persons receiving orthodox resection developed empyema (7.5%), but this
complication was seen only 3 in resections performed with the stapler (2%).
From this it appears that the two major complications of resections, bronchopleural
fistula and empyema, are less common when the stapler is used.
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