2005 Volume 55 Issue 3 Pages 269-272
Right pneumothorax had occurred twice in 2 months in a 41-year-old female, related to the onset of menstruation, suggesting catamenial pneumothorax. At the initial operation, a thoracoscope revealed the presence of “blue berry spots” and several fistulae in the central tendon of the diaphragm. Neither bulla nor bleb was found on the right lung. A partial resection of the diaphragm including these lesions was performed by thoracoscopic procedure using an endostapeling and a cutting device. The patient was followed with hormonal therapy for only one month at her request. Six months after the initial operation, right pneumothorax recurred. Diaphragmatic hernia was observed at the second operation. The herniated organ was a part of the liver. The defect of the diaphragm was repaired by a direct suture, and covered with a Poly Glycolic Acid mesh to prevent relapse. The patient has been asymptomatic for 8 months after the second operation under hormone therapy.
