Availability of 2mm Videothoracoscope in Bullectomy of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Lee, Yuen Jae; Park, Chul; Kim, Jong Seok; Kim, Han Yong; Yoo, Byung Ha

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For many years, 10mm videothoracoscope has been widely used in bullectomy of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. However we used a 2mm videothoracoscope to minimize operative wound. Thus, we compared the clinical results of bullectomy using 2mm videothoracoscope with bullectomy using 10mm videothoracoscope. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We analyzed 118 patients who underwent VATS for primary spontaneous pneumothorax from April, 1998 to December, 2000. 2mm videothoracoscope was used in 53 patients(Group A)and 10mm videothoracoscope was used in 65 patients(Group B). The mean age was 20.2+/-6.9 years old in group A and 20.1+/-6.1 years old in group B. The mean follow up was 10.9+/-3.8 months in group A and 11.4+/-4.3 months in group B. RESULT: The operation time was shorter in group A than group B(55.7+/-22.9 minutes, 71.2+/-21.4 minutes, p<0.05). The duration of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in group A than group B(7.2+/-3.2 days, 9.2+/-3.6 days, p<0.05). The duration of postoperative chest tube indwelling was shorter in group A than group B(4.7+/-3.1 days, 6.3+/-2.8 days, p<0.05). The duration of postoperative air leakage(0.6+/-2.1 days, 1.0+/-2.4 days, p>0.05), the amount of analgesics(1.38+/-1.0 ampules, 1.7+/-1.4 ampules, p>0.05), postoperative complications(2 cases,7cases,p>0.05) and recurrences(1 case, 1 case, p>0.05) were not statistically different between two groups. Operative wound was smaller in group A than group B.
CONCLUSION
There were no adverse results in group A than group B. Furthermore, bullectomy using 2mm videothoracoscope brought us minimized operative wound and good cosmetic results. Thus, we could recommend bullectomy using 2mm videothoracoscope in primary spontaneous pneumothorax.