title: Pleural abrasion in the treatment of recurrent or persistent spontaneous pneumothorax. Results of 94 consecutive cases.
abstract: In the ten-year period 1982 to 1991, 94 patients underwent pleural abrasion as definite treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax. Surgical indications included: 1) third recurrence of homolateral pneumothorax, 2) second recurrence of homolateral pneumothorax in the presence of alternating pneumothorax, and 3) persistent air leak with incomplete lung re-expansion in the presence of spontaneous pneumothorax treated with pleural drainage for more than 10 days. No deaths were observed in the present series. Post-operative complications were minimal and all reversible, including two cases of pleural effusion, one case of hemothorax, and one case of Horner's syndrome. Eighty cases were followed up from 7 to 91 months. No recurrences occurred during the follow-up period. Clinical, radiological and functional results appear satisfactory. Pleural abrasion seems to represent a valid surgical option in the treatment of recurrent or persistent spontaneous pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ardissone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliaro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ruffini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence