title: Bilateral open treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax: a new access.
abstract: A new technique for bilateral apical bullectomy and pleurectomy via axillary minithoracotomy and transmediastinal access to the contralateral side, was used in 13 patients with bilateral apical blebs and/or pneumothorax. The contralateral space is reached at the posterior superior mediastinum, passing between the first thoracic vertebral bodies (T1-T4) and the oesophagus. The contralateral lung apex is then pulled into the thoracotomy side and apical bullectomy carried out by linear stapler. The obvious advantages of avoiding a second thoracotomy while providing complete solution to the clinical problem are particularly important in young patients with spontaneous pneumothorax caused by bilateral apical blebs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, IRCCS San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. nazaris@tin.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buniva
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aluffi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvi
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome