title: Pleural abrasion via axillary thoracotomy in the era of video assisted thoracic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recurrent episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax can be managed medically or surgically by various methods, video assisted thoracoscopy being the latest and most attractive.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was made of 43 pleural abrasions performed in 39 patients through a 4-6 cm axillary thoracotomy incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no deaths and complications were few. At a mean follow up of 33 months there were two recurrences, neither of which required drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with results achieved with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, open pleural abrasion via a small thoracotomy may be the treatment of choice in most hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Simansky
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yellin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome