title: Effectiveness of thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis in the management of complicated spontaneous pneumothorax.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complicated (recurring or persistent) spontaneous pneumothorax requires intervention either by surgical or nonsurgical pleurodesis or other interventions. As for high-risk patients, aggressive interventions may be associated with morbidity, the safety and effectiveness of less aggressive alternative interventions like thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis (TTP) should be evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted on patients who had undergone TTP for complicated spontaneous pneumothorax at Interventional Clinic, University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. The complications, length of hospital stay, and success rate over a 24-month period were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 41 TTP procedures were performed for 25 (61%) cases of primary spontaneous pneumothorax and for 16 (39%) cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Twenty-four cases were first episodes, whereas it was a recurrence in 17. Of 4 patients with blebs/bullae, 2 had recurrence after TTP.No patient had acute respiratory distress syndrome or any other serious complication after TTP. Recurrence rates after TTP in primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were 9.5% and 25% at 24 months, respectively. The mean length of hospital stay after TTP was 3±3.2 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TTP is a safe and effective intervention in complicated spontaneous pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Medicine ‡Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University/Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, Nigeria †Interventional Pulmonology Clinic, University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olanisun Olufemi
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adewole
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: De Keukeleire
authors.forename: Abimbola S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erhabor
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noppen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000379:methods*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013627:Talc / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013627:Talc