ABSTRACT
In an attempt to search for alternatives to the standard techniques of pleurodesis, we performed pleurodesis with autologous blood in 17 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. The blood volume instilled in every procedure ranged from 50 to 60 ml. In 16 cases (94%) the early closure of the fistula was achieved. The mean follow-up period ranged from 17 and 41 months (mean: 24.2 +/- 6.3). Twelve out of the 17 patients (71%) have not had relapses of pneumothorax after pleurodesis. Tolerance was excellent, with only one complication reported: pleuritis resolved with drainage and antibiotics. Pain was not reported in any case. The were 5 relapses (29%); three were controlled with drainage and two required surgery. The obtention of chest X-rays, CT and/or pleural echography, after pleurodesis, allowed the evaluation of radiologic efficiency with that procedure. In 41% of cases suggestive findings of success were obtained; in the remaining cases no radiologic findings were observed or they were nonspecific. Nevertheless, a poor correlation was observed between radiologic findings and clinical course; therefore, these studies cannot be recommended on a regular basis. The current state of the art is commented and a consideration given to recent reports on this topic, and the advantages and drawbacks are evaluated. We conclude that future studies are necessary to properly place this procedure.
