Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery†.

OBJECTIVES: Over the past two decades, video-assisted thoracoscopic blebectomy and pleurodesis have been used as a safe and reliable option for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in young patients, and to identify risk factors for postoperative recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the outcome of VATS treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in our institution in 150 consecutive young patients (age ≤ 40 years) in the years 1997-2010. Treatment consisted of stapling blebectomy and partial parietal pleurectomy. After excluding 16 patients lost to follow-up, in 134 cases [110 men, 24 women; mean age, 25 ± 7 standard deviation years; median follow-up, 79 months (range: 36-187 months)], we evaluated postoperative complications, focusing on pneumothorax recurrence, thoracic dysaesthesia and chronic chest pain. Risk factors for postoperative pneumothorax recurrence were analysed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 134 treated patients, 3 (2.2%) required early reoperation (2 for bleeding; 1 for persistent air leaks). Postoperative (90-day) mortality was nil. Ipsilateral pneumothorax recurred in 8 cases (6.0%) [median time of recurrence, 43 months (range: 1-71 months)]. At univariate analysis, the recurrence rate was significantly higher in women (4/24) than in men (4/110; P = 0.026) and in patients with >7-day postoperative air leaks (P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis confirmed that pneumothorax recurrence correlated independently with prolonged air leaks (P = 0.037) and with female gender (P = 0.045). Chronic chest wall dysaesthesia was reported by 13 patients (9.7%). In 3 patients, (2.2%) chronic thoracic pain (analogical score >4) was recorded, but only 1 patient required analgesics more than once a month. CONCLUSIONS: VATS blebectomy and parietal pleurectomy is a safe procedure for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in young patients, with a 6% long-term recurrence rate in our experience. Postoperative recurrence significantly correlates with female gender and with prolonged air leakage after surgery.

[Major thoracic trauma--sternal trauma]. / Traumi maggiori del torace--traumi dello sterno.

From 1999 to 2003, 101 patients (M/F = 83/18, mean age = 46 +/- 18 y) with thoracic trauma have been admitted to the Center for Thoracic Surgery in Varese. Over 50% of pts. with major thoracic trauma were treated by chest tube drainage; however, surgery was necessary just in 16/101 pts.; 29 pts. were admitted to ICU; deaths were 3/101. The Authors recorded 23/101 sternal fractures. Routine blood test, chest radiography and EKG were performed in all patients; in case of abnormal EKG, echocardiography was performed; in case of widened mediastinum, chest CT was mandatory. 13/23 pts. showed associated injuries, 12 pts. a non-aligned sternal fracture, 7 pts. mediastinal hematoma. Simple observation in hospital was indicated in 15/23 pts. with sternal fractures; chest tubes were positioned in 3 pts. (hemopneumothorax) and one patient was surgically treated because of painful sternal pseudoarthrosis (2 months after trauma). Admission in ICU was necessary in 3 pts. with non-aligned sternal fracture, mediastinal hematoma and associated injuries. No patient with sternal fracture died.