Change of CK and CRP values after thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax

Abstract

Thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy as surgical treatments for spontaneous pneumothorax were compared and discussed from the view point of operative intervention and monitoring of CK and CRP values. The subjects were 36 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated surgically from January to the end of December 1992. Thoracotomy was performed in 29 and thoracoscopic surgery in 7, one of whom had 2 thoracoscopic procedures. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups as to age, length of hospitalization, period following surgery, time from onset to surgery, length of time drainage tube was used following surgery, or operation time. Postoperative creatine kinase (CK) (mUK/ml) levels and CRP levels were compared. CK was significantly lower one day after surgery and CRP one and three days after surgery, in the thoracoscopic surgery group. Thus demonstrates the superiority of thoracoscopic surgery over thoracotomy.