ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the nursing cooperation in use of lung inflation system for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax. Method The key nursing points in nursing 42 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax undergoing VATS were analyzed. Results The operations were all successful. One patient contracted lower left atelectasis but it was cured after the tracheal tube was re-adjusted. On day one, there were two cases of gas leakage during thoracic closed drainage:one was of diffuse pulmonary bulla, and the gas leakage stopped on the second day; In the other cases, the gas leakage stopped 2 days after the tube was withdrawn by 3cm probably because the drainage tube was inserted too deep at the beginning. 6-30 months follow-ups showed no recurrence of pneumothorax in the operated site. Conclusions The lung inflation system is safe during VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax. Careful preoperative preparation of the equipment and skillful nursing cooperation at all procedures are critical for the success of VATS.