• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2009

Background: Postoperative recurrence is a major problem after performing video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of primary pneumothorax. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (GORE $SEAMGUARD^{(R)}$) for preventing recurrence after bullectomy. Material and Method: From January 2000 to December 2004, 300 patients underwent video assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of primary penumothorax. 143 patients were treated with bioabsorbable staple line reinforcement (Group A) and 142 patients were treated with stapling of the bullae (Group B). Mechanical pleural abrasion was performed in all the patients. The operating time, the duration of the indwelling chest tube, the length of the hospital stay and the number of recurrences after operation were compared between the groups. Result: No operative deaths occurred. The conversion rate to an open procedure was 5% (15/300). Comparison with these groups (Group A versus Group B) showed the following results: the operating time ($49.6{\pm}25.6$ vs $51.8{\pm}30.4$ minutes, respectively, p=0.514), the duration of an indwelling chest tube ($5.8{\pm}2.5$ vs $7.2{\pm}3.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005), the hospital stay ($10.9{\pm}4.3$ vs $12.5{\pm}4.3$ days, respectively, p<0.005) and the number of recurrences (14 (9.8%) vs 10 (7.0%), respectively, the over all rate: 8.4% p=0.523), and the mean follow up period. ($48.1{\pm}36.6$ vs $36.5{\pm}24.4$ months, respectively). Conclusion: There were advantages to use synthetic absorbable staple line reinforcement over the usual method for the treatment of primary pneumothorax in regard to the duration of an indwelling chest tube and the hospital stay, but here was no significant difference between the groups for postoperative recurrence.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.408-413
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• 1996

In most cases of diffuse bullous emphysema and chronic obstructive lung disease, t e risk of surgical treatment is very high. But surgical treatment in selected cases of bullous emphysema with localized involvement of only one side of the lung has suggested safe and good management. So patient selection of surgical treatment Is one of the most important things in management of bullous emphysema. From 1987 to 1992, 11 patients were operated for bullous emphysema with giant bullae at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Chonbuk National University Hospital. Author selected surgical candidates who had progressive dyspnea and symptomatic bullae occupying more than one third of the hemithorax and shifting the trachea and mediastinum to the opposite side of the lung. There were 7 males and 4 females ranged from 19 to 61 years of age. Operative procedures were bullectomy and/or wedge resection in 7 cases, segmentectomy in 2 cases and lobectomy in 2 cases. Symptoms and pulmonary function of all patients were improved six months to three years postoperat vely. There were no postoperative death. We conclude that surgical treatment of bullous emphysema with giant bullae is safe and a good treatment of modality in indicated patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.949-952
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• 2006

Spontaneous pneumothorax is rarely occurred as an initial sign of primary lung cancer. As a lot of these cases have already advanced, even then surgical resection is performed, the prognosis is often undesirable, We happened to find a ruptured cavity on a 65-year-old male patient who had suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis in the past, while performing VATS bullectomy for simple spontaneous pneumothorax, Then, as a result of frozen biopsy, it was diagnosed as squamous cell cancer Because the tumor was infiltrated from the upper lobe into the lower lobe passing by fissure, we should remove by pneumonectomy and the pathologic stage was found stage I(T2N0M0). When we made an follow-up observation for one year and a half, there was neither relapse nor complication. When there appears spontaneous pneumothorax to the high risk group for lung cancer who were smokers over forty-year old, with chronic bronchitis or pulmonary emphysema, it needs to have a closer observation on a base lung disease such as lung cancer through chest CT, and it is also necessary to make more active approach by performing the surgical operation through a thoracoscopy when there is a continued air release.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.747-752
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• 1996

Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) has been widely used in the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in spite of the absence of definitive data regarding the relative safety and long term results of this procedure. We reviewed 34 patients (group I) who underwent )8 video-assisted surgical procedures for spontaneous pneumothorax from June 1994 to December 1995 and compared the results of these patients with the results of another 14 patients (group ll) who underwent bullectomy through axillary Oho- racotomy during the same period. Average age, sex distribution, site and extent of pneumothorax, surgical indications, and complication rate showed no differences between the two groups. In group ll patients, th number and sites of bullae tend to be multiple compared to patients in group 1. The mean number of ends-GIA used for stapling of bullae was 2. 6 per patient with the range from 2 to 4 in group 1. The mean duration of chest tube drainage was not different between the two groups ().7 days and 3.9 days), but the mean time to discharge was significantly shorter in group I (5.6 days) than in group ll (8.9 days). Mean follow-up time was 12 and 11 months in each groups and ranged from 2 to 21 months. Pneumothorax recurred after three of 38 procedures in group I (7.9 %) with no recurrence in group ll. These data suggest that video-assisted thoracic surgery is a viable alternative to thoracotomy for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with low morbidity and shorter hospital stay. However, it should be applied cautiously to patients with spontaneous pneumothorax because of the relatively high incidence of recurrence compared to axillary thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1133-1137
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• 1996

From September 1994 to October 1995, we are reporting clinical results of 67 patients whom underwent video-assisted trio rabic surgery(VATS). 1. They were diagnosed as spontaneous pneumothorax In )5, diffuse interstitial lung disease in 9, empyema in 7, hemothorax in 5, malignant pleural effusion in 3, hyperhidrosis in 3, foreign body in chest cavity in 2, mesothelioma in 1, miliary tuberculosis in 1 and organizing pneumonia in 12. In pneumothorax, bullectomy in 33 and open bellectoiny in 2 due to pleural adhesion was done Hemostasis in 5, irrigation in 7, foreign body removal in 2, talcum powder insufrlation in 3, sympathectomy 3 as done. Thoracoscopic biopsy watt done In 12 3. For pneumothorax, operation was indicated as recurrent pneumothorax in 18, persistent air leak in 12, visible bullae In chest X-ray in 5. 4 Thoracoscopic biopsy was done in 12. They were interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in 9, miliary tuberculosis in 1, mesothelioma in 1, and organizing pneumonia in 1 .Among interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, usual interstitial pneumonia were 2 and diffuse interstitial pneumonia were 7. 5. Wo complication was found in 6) patients among 67 patients. The complication was found in 4 patients (2 persistent air leak, 2 contralateral lung atelectasis). We concluded that VATS was safe and beneficial in reducing postoperative complication and the role of thoracic surgery will increase markefdly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 1998

Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is emerging as a viable alternative to thoracotomy when surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax is required. 20 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent bullectomy between July 1995 and May 1996. The patients were divided into two groups : Control group ; the patients who received with mid-axillary approach(n=10), Experimental group ; the patients who received with VATS (n=10). The results were as follows ; 1. The total sex distribution was male predominance (male:female=17:3). Mean age of control group was 29.6$\pm$9.8 years and experimental group was 27.2$\pm$11.9 years. 2. The mean period of postoperative chest tube indwelling duration and hospital stay were 3.3$\pm$0.8 days and 7.9$\pm$1.2 days in control group and 2.1$\pm$0.9 days and 5.2$\pm$3.1 days in experimental group(p=0.005 and p=0.02). 3. The mean time of operation, vital signs and arterial blood gas analysis did not showed any statistical differences between the groups. 4. Percent recovery of tidal volume and forced vital capacity were significantly improved in experimental group comparing with control group (p<0.05). 5. The patients undergoing VATS experienced significantly less postoperative pain and limitation of motion. In conclusion, VATS is safe and offers the potential benefits of shorter postoperative hospital stays and less pain with cosmetic benefits.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.383-387
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• 1999

Background: We analysed simple chest PA and high-resolution CT findings in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax in order to help selecting the kind of treatment, provide a guidline during surgical treatment, and to recognize the bulla which may not be detected by simple radiographs or may be a potential cause of recurrence. Material and Method: We retrospectively analysed the presence and number of bulla in each side, combined pulmonary disease on simple chest films and high-resolution CT, and methods and frequency of the treatment in 70 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax excluing traumatic origin. Result: 45 patients were revealed primary spontaneous pneumothorax, and the remaining 25 patients were revealed secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. All secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were from the longstanding sequelle of pulmonary tuberculosis. The patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax group was younger(mean:26.0 years old) than secondary group (mean: 44.1 years old). On simple radiography, bulla was detected in 16 patients(30.2%). On HRCT, the bulla was detected in 53 patients(75.7%) of the total 70 patients. In 48 patients(68.6%), the bulla or bleb was noted in ipsilateral side to the pneumothorax, and 34 patients(48.6%) of them showed bulla or bleb bilaterally. 39 patients(55.7%) showed bulla or bleb in contralateral side. The number of bulla or bleb was variable. In secondary spontaneous pneumothorax group, the incidence of multiple(more than 10) bulla or bleb was higher than primary type. Most of the patients were treated by thoracostomy(36 patients) or bullectomy( 7 patients). Conclusion: HRCT was superior to detect bulla and analyse the combined pulmonary disease than simple radiography. Therefore, HRCT can help to determine the mothod of treatment, provide a guidline during surgical treatment, and notify the bulla as a possible cause of recurrent pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1070-1075
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• 1998

Background: With the advent of thoracoscopy, there has been increasing interest in less invasive surgical bullectomy and pleurodesis. The recurrence rate, however, has been reported higher in surgery with thoracoscopy than with open thoracotomy and it is thought to be caused by inappropriate mechanical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic surgery. Materials and methods: We compared the short-term recurrence rates according to the intensities of pleural abrasion in 62 patients who underwent VATS for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax from April 1996 to August 1997. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A(n=32) included patients who received relatively weak pleural abrasion using Endo-forcep instrument for grasping the gauze, and group B(n=30) received strong pleural abrasion using conventional instrument wrapped tightly with gauze. Each intensity of pleural abrasion allowed petechia on the parietal pleura in group A, and some tearing and bleeding in group B. Results: Indications for operation, sex distribution, and age were comparable in both groups. There were no differences in chest tube indwelling time(3.78±3.35 vs 3.80±2.49 days), hospital stay(4.72±1.87 vs 4.67±2.20 days), and the amount and duration of analgesics required postoperatively. Persistent air-leak more than 7 days after surgery occurred in 4/32(12.5%) and 2/30(6.7%) in group A and B, respectively. No bleeding-related complication occured. Pneumothorax recurred 12.5%(4/32) and 0%(0/30) of patients at a mean follow-up of 9.7 and 9.6 months in group A and B, respectively, and it was statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusions: Proper intensity of pleural abrasion is very important factor to reduce recurrence after VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax. During short-term follow-upafter surgery, we could achieve excellent result in reducing recurrence rate with VATS and strong pleural abrasion which is comparable to thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.292-296
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• 2007

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the 8-French (Fr) catheter ($Pleuracan^{(R)}$) for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between July 2004 and July 2006, 59 patients (72 cases) underwent a closed thoracostomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. We divided these patients into two groups: group T (large bore (>20 Fr) chest tube group) and group P ($Pleuracan^{(R)}$ group). Result: Initially, the $Pleuracan^{(R)}$ catheters were inserted in 41 cases. There were four catheter malfunctions (9.8%) : three cases had a subsequent closed thoracostomy with a large bore chest tube. Ultimately, there were 34 cases in group T and 38 cases in group P. There were no significant differences in indwelling catheter time ($T:\;2.1{\pm}1.5\;days,\;P:\;2.1{\pm}1.3\;days$), hospital stay ($T:\;6.4{\pm}5.4\;days,\;P:\;5.2{\pm}2.9\;days$) and complications (T: 3%, P: 0%) between the two groups. The percentage of cases that needed intravenous analgesics in group P was 60% (23/38); this was significantly lower than the number for group T (90%, 31/34) (p=0.003). In a subgroup of patients that did not undergo bullectomy(T: 17 cases, P: 19 cases), there were no significant differences in the duration of air leakage ($T:\;0.5{\pm}0.7\;days,\;P:\;0.5{\pm}1.2\;days$) and in the percentage of patients with complete lung re-expansion (T: 94%, P: 84%) between the two groups. Conclusion: Application of the $Pleuracan^{(R)}$ catheter for the initial treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax was as effective as the large bore chest tube.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1225-1231
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• 1997

Spontaneous pneumothorax is the sudden collapse of a lung usually caused by air leakage from a subvisceral pleural blob. Responses to closed thoracostomy,thoracentesls and simple observation are usually prompt and effective. But in some cases, these are unsucceful and open thoracotomy is indicated. A clinical evaluation was performed on 242 cases(236 patients) of open thoracotomy in spontaneous pneumoth rax who were admitted and treated at department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Masan Samsung General Hospital during the past 9 years from January 1988 to December 1996. The results were as follows 1. The sex ratio was male predominance(M:F=11.7:1) 2. The most common age group were 2nd, 3rd decades(2nd=29.3%, 3rd=30.2%). 3. The most common chief complaints were chest pain and dyspnea(chest pain=41.7%. dryspnea= 36.8). 4. The etiologic factors of spontaneous pneumothorax were primary spontaneous pneumothorax(86.4%), tuberculosis(9.1%), COPD(3.7%) and pleuritis(0.8%). 5. The site of spontaneous pneumothorax was 52.1% in right, 45.4% in left and 2.5% in both. 6. The common indications of open thoracotomy were recurrence(44.2%), persistent air leakage(31.8%) and inadequate expansion(15.7%). 7. The operative procedures were bullectomy or mechanical pleurodesis through posterolateral thoracotomy or median sternotomy. 8. The most frequent location of bulla or blob were apical segme t oi RUL(35.1%) and apicoposterior segment of LUL(41.3 %). 9. The number of bulla or blob were mainly 1 to 5(88%), and there were no significant differences among operation indications. 10. The size of bulla or bleb were mainly below 5cm(81%)and small bulla($\leq$1cm) were predominant in recurrence group but large bulla(>5cm)were predominant in persistent air leakage and inadequate expansion group. 11. The pleural adhesion was seen in 54.5%.(Recurrence group 64.1%,Persistent air leakage group 51.9%,Inadequate expansion group 47.4%).