title: Staple Line Coverage with a Polyglycolic Acid Patch and Fibrin Glue without Pleural Abrasion after Thoracoscopic Bullectomy for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of staple line coverage using a polyglycolic acid patch and fibrin glue without pleural abrasion to prevent recurrent postoperative pneumothorax.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was carried out of 116 operations performed between January 2011 and April 2013. During this period, staple lines were covered with a polyglycolic acid patch and fibrin glue in 58 cases (group A), while 58 cases underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy only (group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up period was 33 months (range, 22 to 55 months). The duration of chest tube drainage was shorter in group A (group A 2.7±1.2 day vs. group B 3.9±2.3 day, p=0.001). Prolonged postoperative air leakage occurred more frequently in group B than in group A (43% vs. 19%, p=0.005). The postoperative recurrence rate of pneumothorax was significantly lower in group A (8.6%) than in group B (24.1%) (p=0.043). The total cost of treatment during the follow-up period, including the cost for the treatment of postoperative recurrent pneumothorax, was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.43).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Without pleural abrasion, staple line coverage with a medium-sized polyglycolic acid patch and fibrin glue after thoracoscopic bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a useful technique that can reduce the duration of postoperative pleural drainage and the postoperative recurrence rate of pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.
authors.forename: Ki Pyo
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.
authors.forename: Do Kyun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital.
authors.forename: Kyung Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kang
keywords: Fibrin tissue adhesive; Pneumothorax; Polyglycolic acid; Thoracoscpy