Bullae ablation in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.
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.
Liu
Yun-Hen
YH
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.
Chao
Yin-Kai
YK
Wu
Yi-Chen
YC
Hsieh
Ming-Ju
MJ
Wu
Ching-Yang
CY
Lu
Ming-Shian
MS
Liu
Chien-Ying
CY
Ko
Po-Jen
PJ
Liu
Hui-Ping
HP
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