Abstract
A series of 56 patients (63 cases) with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). We compared our results and complications with the first half period (June 1992 to August 1994) in 31 cases (group I) with the later half period (September 1994 to December 1996) in 32 cases (group II). Indications for operations, sex distribution, and average age (group I, 27.2±13.0 years ; group II, 23.1±7.8 years) were comparable. Operation time was less in group II (96.7±36.2 min versus 131.5±58.3 min ; p=0. 0167). Postoperative hospital stay was less in group II (8.3±6.4 days versus 12.1±7.0 days ; p= 0.0322). There have been three recurrences of pneumothorax in group I only. The interval between VATS and recurrences was 9, 10, and 16 days and two cases needed reoperation. The cause of recurrence was failure to seek other bullae by VATS. The cause of improvement of complications in group II was progress in the VATS procedure and the management of the preoperative screening by the chest X-ray and CT scan.
VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax has the same good results as thoracotomy and offers the potential benefits of shorter hospital stay and less pain.
