Video-assisted Thoracioscopic Surgery under Epidural Anesthesia in the High-Risk Patients with Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is good indication of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. This method usually required general anesthesia and single-lung ventilation with collapse of other lung. But, risks of general anesthesia and single-lung ventilation must be considered in high-risk patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between September 1999 and August 2001, 15 high-risk patients were treated by vedio-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under epidural anesthesia. RESULT: Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery was successfully performed in 15 patients. Duration of postoperative air-leakage was 4.3days, Significance of complication was none, No recurrence of pneumothorax was encountered. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be performed safely under epidural anesthesia for treatment of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in high-risk patients.