ABSTRACT
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is emerging as a viable alternative to thoracotomy when surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax is required. 20 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent bullectomy between July 1995 and May 1996. The patients were divided into two groups : Control group ; the patients who received with mid-axillary approach (n=10), Experimental group ; the patients who received with VATS (n=10). The results were as follows ; 1. The total sex distribution was male predominance (male:female=17:3). Mean age of control group was 29.6+/-9.8 years and experimental group was 27.2+/-11.9 years. 2. The mean period of postoperative chest tube indwelling duration and hospital stay were 3.3+/-0.8 days and 7.9+/-1.2 days in control group and 2.1+/-0.9 days and 5.2+/-3.1 days in experimental group (p=0.005 and p=0.02). 3. The mean time of operation, vital signs and arterial blood gas analysis did not showed any statistical differences between the groups. 4. Percent recovery of tidal volume and forced vital capacity were significantly improved in experimental group comparing with control group (p<0.05). 5. The patients undergoing VATS experienced significantly less postoperative pain and limitation of motion. In conclusion, VATS is safe and offers the potential benefits of shorter postoperative hospital stays and less pain with cosmetic benefits.