2013 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 11-16
Background: Most cases of secondary pneumothorax in patients with interstitial pneumonia are refractory to all forms of treatment. It is sometimes difficult to select the operative procedure because of postoperative complications. We evaluated the effect and safety of surgery. Methods: A retrospective review of 14 secondary pneumothorax patients with interstitial pneumonia who were surgically treated were considered for this analysis. We analyzed the background of these patients, results of surgery, clinical characteristics, and surgical methods of recurrent pneumothorax cases, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Results: In all cases, air leaks were successfully treated. The recurrence rate of pneumothorax was 35.7% (5/14 cases). All patients with recurrent pneumothorax received steroids, and the lesion was characterized as interstitial pneumonia with changes in the lung structure. Operative mortality was noted in 7.1% (1/14 cases) of the cases. This case showed a worsening of interstitial pneumonia. Postoperative complications were noted in 14.3% (2/14 cases) of the cases. One involved empyema and the other showed worsening of interstitial pneumonia. Conclusions: Surgery for secondary pneumothorax in patients with interstitial pneumonia was effective. It is necessary to pay attention to the characteristics of recurrent cases and acute exacerbation in cases of interstitial pneumonia.
