Intrapleural administration of a large amount of diluted fibrin glue for intractable pneumothorax.
OBJECTIVE
Pleurodesis using chemical agents has been applied to high-risk patients with pneumothorax. This treatment, however, is sometimes unsuccessful in patients with intractable pneumothorax or intrapleural dead space. We developed a technique for the intrapleural administration of diluted fibrin glue as a treatment for such patients.


METHODS
Fibrin glue was diluted fourfold with saline solution and/or contrast medium. Pleurodesis with a large amount of the diluted fibrin glue was performed in 40 high-risk patients with intractable pneumothorax and in 13 postthoracotomy patients with persistent air leakage associated with an intrapleural dead space.


RESULTS
The air leaks were stopped by administration of the glue in all patients of both groups. During the follow-up period, a recurrence rate of 12.5% was observed in the former group. These recurrent pneumothoraces also were successfully treated by glue administration with no further recurrence. In the 13 postthoracotomy patients, there was no recurrence after the initial treatment. Pyrexia (12.5%) and chest discomfort (4.1%) were observed as side effects, but there were no findings of severe chest pain or thoracic empyema.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that intrapleural administration of a large amount of diluted fibrin glue is a useful treatment for intractable pneumothoraces in high-risk or postthoracotomy patients who have an intrapleural dead space.
Kinoshita
T
T
First Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical College, Wakayama, Japan.
Miyoshi
S
S
Katoh
M
M
Yoshimasu
T
T
Juri
M
M
Maebeya
S
S
Naito
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000187:drug effects; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000379:methods*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012126:Respiratory Dead Space; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive