title: Bullae ablation in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The benefit of bullae ablation for the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) has been established. However, various modalities for bullae ablation have been reported from different centers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to assess whether endoloop ligation of bullae was as effective as staple bullectomy for preventing the recurrence of pneumothorax.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1993 and December 2003, 226 patients (203 men and 23 women) with PSP were recorded and retrospectively reviewed. One hundred thirty (57.5%) patients were treated with endoloop ligation of bullae and the other 96 (42.5%) were treated with staple bullectomy. Mechanical abrasion was performed in all patients after bullae ablation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recurrence rate of pneumothorax was 6.2% (8 patients) in the endoloop ligation group and 17.7% (17 patients) in the staple bullectomy group (p = 0.006). The postoperative complication rate was 14.6 and 20.8% in the endoloop ligation and staple bullectomy groups, respectively (p = 0.221). The long-term chest discomfort rate after endoloop ligation and staple bullectomy was 14.6 and 13.5%, respectively (p = 0.819)
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoloop ligation of bullae is as effective as mechanical staple bullectomy for the management of bullae in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, 5, Fu-Shing Street, Guei-Shan Shiang, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yun-Hen
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yin-Kai
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Yi-Chen
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ming-Ju
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Ching-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ming-Shian
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chien-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Po-Jen
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Hui-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult