THE EFFECT OF THORACOSCOPIC PLEURODESIS IN PRIMARY SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOTHORAX

Abstract

Background: The standard operative treatment of primary spontaneous 
pneumothorax (PSP) is thoracoscopic wedge resection, but necessity of 
pleurodesis still remains controversial. Nevertheless, pleural procedure after 
wedge re- section such as pleurodesis has been performed in some patients who 
need an extremely low recurrence rate. Materials and Methods: From January 
2020 to July 2024, 207 patients who had undergone thoracoscopic wedge resection 
and pleurodesis were enrolled in this study. All patients were divided into two 
groups according to the methods of pleurodesis; apical parietal pleurectomy 
(group A) and pleural abrasion (group B). The recurrence after surgery had been 
checked by reviewing medical record through follow-up in ambulatory care clinic 
or calling to the patients, directly until January 2024. Results: Of the 207 patients, 
the recurrence rate of group A and B was 9.1% and 12.8%, respectively and there 
was a significant difference (p=0.01, Cox’s proportional hazard model). There was 
no significant difference in age, gender, smoking status, and body mass index 
between two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that the risk of recurrence 
after surgery in PSP is significantly low in patients who underwent thoracoscopic 
wedge resection with parietal pleurectomy than pleural abrasion.