title: Video-assisted blebectomy using a flexible scope and a bleb implement.
abstract: We describe herein our new technique of performing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using a flexible scope and a bleb implement which allows for a reduction in the risk of overlooking small and flat blebs in patients with a spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). This technique was performed in 26 consecutive patients with a SP. A skin incision about 18 mm long was made in the area over which the patients had specified preoperatively, and meticulous observation of the apex and superior segment was performed using a bleb implement. Partial pneumonectomy with endoscopic staplers and laser ablation were carried out for pleural lesions. We found that VATS combined with a flexible scope and a bleb implement resulted in better visibility for detection and removal of any small and flat blebs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanehira
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maniwa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakata
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shibagaki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawamura
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020708:Thoracoscopes; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods