title: Thoracoscopic application of a topical sealant for the management of persistent posttraumatic pneumothorax.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent posttraumatic pneumothorax (PPP) is an uncommon complication of blunt or penetrating chest trauma. Currently, most patients are managed with pleural chest tube(s) and suction drainage. Prolonged hospital stay and added cost of care are not uncommon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 2-year period, 13 patients with PPP, nonresponsive to conventional management, underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). As part of our protocol for PPP, routine preoperative computed tomography of the chest and bronchoscopy to determine the presence of associated injuries were performed in all of the patients. During the VATS procedure, all of the patients underwent drainage of any retained hemothorax, and a topical surgical sealant was applied to the source of the air leak as definitive treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A persistent pneumothorax with an air leak was identified in all 13 of the patients. There were 10 patients with blunt and 3 patients with penetrating injuries, respectively. The mean age for the patients was 34 years (range, 13 to 64 years). Parenchymal lacerations were identified in all of the patients ranging in size from 0.5 to 3 cm. After the VATS procedure and application of the surgical sealant, 11 patients had the chest tubes removed within 24 hours of the procedure. In the other two patients, the chest tubes were removed within 48 hours. There was no recurrence of the pneumothorax in any of these patients. The mean length of hospital stay before VATS and the application of the surgical sealant was 6 days (range, 2-14 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early VATS and the use of a topical sealant in patients with PPP is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional management with prolonged thoracostomy chest tubes or an open thoracostomy. This alternative management, when used early in the appropriate patient, will decrease the length of hospital stay, cost of care, and unnecessary procedures.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma Services, Memorial Regional Hospital, 3501 Johnson Street, Hollywood, FL 33021, USA. trauma1ehc@aol.com
authors.forename: Eddy H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozloff
authors.forename: Angeleke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saridakis
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bragg
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014014:Tissue Adhesives