Chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax

Mechanical and biological properties of poly-ε-caprolactone membrane for pleurodesis: A preclinical study in pigs

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Biomaterial implants are emerging as a treatment choice for pleurodesis; however, the optimal biomaterial and form for managing spontaneous pneumothorax, particularly post-video-assisted thoracic surgery, remain under investigation. This study evaluated the mechanical and biological properties of the poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) membrane as a sclerosing agent for pleurodesis in Landrace pigs.

METHODS

Twenty-four Landrace pigs were split into two groups for mechanical abrasion and PCL membrane pleurodesis, with the latter group's PCL meshes inserted using video-assisted thoracic surgery. The mechanical and biological properties of the PCL membrane were assessed in pigs at three, six, and 12 months after the procedure. This assessment involved a range of techniques, such as the T-Peel test, macroscopic evaluation with a scoring scale, microscopic examination, and biomechanical and molecular weight analysis.

RESULTS

The PCL membrane group outperformed the traditional abrasion group, with stronger adhesions seen over longer implantation durations. This group also showed superior and more consistent results in both macroscopic and microscopic evaluations compared to the control group. The membrane-based method was easier and faster to perform than the control group's method, and importantly, no mortality occurred following membrane implantation.

CONCLUSION

This study is the pioneering effort to present long-term findings regarding the mechanical and biological properties of the PCL membrane in an in vivo animal model. The membrane demonstrated better adhesion ability than that of traditional abrasion and showed reassuring biocompatibility in both the pig model, suggesting its potential as treatment for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Further clinical studies are needed to support these observations.

Evaluating postoperative recovery in uniportal versus needlescopic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: a comparable study

Objectives

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common disease in young and thin male. Operation has been regarded as definitive treatment for it. However, the operative methods for those patients are under dispute. This study aims to directly compare the outcomes of uniportal VATS vs. needlescopic VATS in the treatment of PSP, focusing on postoperative pain and safety outcomes.

Methods

From July 2013 to December 2017, the patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery for pneumothorax in National Taiwan University Hospital were retrospectively collected. The preoperative condition, surgical results, and postoperative outcomes was analyzed.

Results

There were 60 patients undergoing needlescopic VATS and 91 undergoing uniportal VATS during the study period. There was no significant difference between the patients who underwent needlescopic VATS and those who underwent uniportal VATS in their demographic and clinical characteristics. The post-operative pain score was significantly lower in the uniportal VATS group compared to the needlescopic VATS group at day 1 (2.65 ± 1.59 vs. 1.74 ± 1.35, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Uniportal VATS offers an effective, safe alternative for PSP treatment, with benefits including reduced post-operative pain. Our findings support the use of uniportal VATS, supplemented by a wound protector, as a viable option for PSP patients.

Safety assessment of poly-ε-caprolactone in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Background/purpose

Biomaterial-based implants are gaining traction as an option for pleurodesis treatment, yet the search for the best biomaterial or the most suitable shape to handle spontaneous pneumothorax continues. This forward-looking research assessed the use of a poly-ε-caprolactone membrane for its safety when applied as a sclerosant in pleurodesis procedures in human patients.

Methods

From July 2017 to February 2018, we conducted a Phase I trial in which 10 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with a poly-ε-caprolactone membrane. These procedures encompassed bleb resection and mechanical pleurodesis through parietal pleura scrubbing. After resection, a 150 × 150 mm poly-ε-caprolactone membrane was applied to the apex. The primary outcome measures were the adverse events and laboratory outcomes.

Results

After surgery, we observed no cardiopulmonary-related adverse events or indications of systemic inflammation. Furthermore, no episodes of hypothermia or hyperthermia occurred. Chest radiographs showed no evident pneumonitis or effusion associated with tissue reactions. The average follow-up duration was 31.7 ± 17.7 months, during which two patients exhibited recurrence.

Conclusion

This study is the first to show the biocompatibility of poly-ε-caprolactone in humans, suggesting its potential as a treatment option for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Despite the relatively small number of patients, we maintain confidence in the reliability and safety profile of the PCL membrane, bolstered by its previously established efficacy in applications involving other organs. Phase II and phase III clinical studies are needed to support these observations.

Intraoperative OK-432 pleurodesis for preventing recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in children and adolescents: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) commonly occurs in lean, tall, male children and adolescents. To reduce recurrence rates of PSP, chemical pleurodesis could be helpful for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge bullectomy. The efficacy and safety of intraoperative OK-432 (Picibanil) pleurodesis on preventing the recurrence of PSP in pediatric patients remain unclear.

METHODS

It is a retrospective observational study in a single center, between 2014 and 2020, enrolled 48 (8 females) pediatric PSP patients with persistent air leakage at the mean age of 16.3 ± 1.1 years to receive VATS wedge bullectomy and pleural abrasion. Twenty patients received additional intraoperative OK-432 pleurodesis. The clinical characteristics of patients, surgical outcomes, and recurrence rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

The OK-432 group had longer operation time (118.6 ± 35.6 vs. 96.5 ± 23.3 min; p < 0.05) and higher proportion of postoperative fever (75.0% vs. 28.5%; p = 0.015) than the standard group. No serious adverse events were noted and other surgical outcomes in the two groups were comparable. After a mean follow-up period of 18.1 ± 19.1 months, the OK-432 group had a lower recurrence rate compared with the standard group (5% vs. 28.6%; p < 0.05, odds ratio 0.13, 95% confidence interval: 0.01-1.15), but it had no significant difference in statistics on the Kaplan-Meier curves (log-rank p = 0.105).

CONCLUSION

It was the first study that focused on the addition of intraoperative OK-432 pleurodesis for PSP with persistent air leakage in children and adolescents receiving VATS. It demonstrated the efficacy with a low recurrence rate and short-term safety as a single-center experience.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective review, therapeutic study, Level III.

Treating Recurrent Pleural Disease: A Review of Indications and Technique for Chemical Pleurodesis for the Interventional Radiologist

Pleural space diseases such as recurrent pleural effusion and pneumothorax inflict a significant symptomatic burden on patients. Guidelines and studies are available to guide best practices in the setting of refractory effusions, mostly in the setting of malignancy, and recurrent pneumothorax. Less data is available to guide management of refractory transudative effusions. Recurrent pleural effusions can be treated with tunneled pleural catheters or catheter-based pleurodesis. While refractory transudative effusions can benefit from tunneled pleural catheter, this is an area of ongoing research. Regarding recurrent pneumothorax, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) pleurodesis using mechanical or laser/argon beam coagulation is the most effective means of preventing recurrence. Catheter based pleurodesis, a less invasive means of administering chemical sclerosant via percutaneous thoracostomy tube, is only used when surgery is not an option. However, both approaches induce inflammation of the pleural space, resulting in adherence of the parietal and visceral pleura to prevent fluid or air re-accumulation. This article will discuss catheter based chemical pleurodesis geared toward the interventional radiologist, including a review of disease processes and indications, technique, and strategies to mitigate complications as well as a literature review comparing percutaneous chemical pleurodesis to other therapies.

Interventional closure of a bronchopleural fistula in a 2 year old child with detachable coils

Background

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a severe complication following pneumonia or pulmonary surgery, resulting in persistent air leakage (PAL) and pneumothorax. Surgical options include resection, coverage of the fistula by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), or pleurodesis. Interventional bronchoscopy is preferred in complex cases and involves the use of sclerosants, sealants and occlusive valve devices.

Case presentation

A 2.5-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with persistent fever, cough and dyspnoea. Clinical and radiological examination revealed right-sided pneumonia and pleural effusion. The child was started on antibiotics, and the effusion was drained by pleural drainage. Following removal of the chest tube, the child developed tension pneumothorax. Despite insertion of a new drain, the air leak persisted. Thoracoscopic debridement with placement of another new drain was performed after 4 weeks, without abolishment of the air leak. Bronchoscopy with bronchography revealed a BPF in right lung segment 3 (right upper-lobe anterior bronchus). We opted for an interventional approach that was performed under general anaesthesia during repeat bronchoscopy. Following bronchographic visualisation of the fistula, a 2.7 French microcatheter was placed in right lung segment 3 (upper lobe), allowing occlusion of the fistula by successive implantation of 4 detachable high-density packing volume coils, which were placed into the fistula. Subsequent bronchography revealed no evidence of residual leakage, and the chest tube was removed 2 days later. The chest X-ray findings normalized, and follow-up over 4 years was uneventful.

Conclusions

Bronchoscopic superselective occlusion of BPF using detachable high-density packing large-volume coils was a successful minimally invasive therapeutic intervention performed with minimal trauma in this child and has not been reported thus far. In our small patient, the short interventional time, localized intervention and minimal damage in the lung seemed superior to the corresponding outcomes of surgical lobectomy or pleurodesis in a young growing lung, enabling normal development of the surrounding tissue. Follow-up over 4 years did not show any side effects and was uneventful, with normal lung-function test results to date.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03298-y.

Effectiveness and safety of povidone iodine for prolonged lung air-leak after lung surgery

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary surgery is often associated with postoperative prolonged parenchymal air-leak. The purpose of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of povidone iodine as treatment of prolonged parenchymal air-leak following all-types of lung surgery.

METHODS

This prospective trial was conducted from June 2019 to December 2020, and designed under PanAfrican Clinical Trials Registry requirements. Patients having prolonged parenchymal air-leak were randomly allocated to povidone iodine protocol (Group A) or surveillance without povidone iodine (Group B). We collected the number of povidone iodine injections required before bubbling stopped, total drainage period, tolerance after injection, complications and side-effects. Comparative study was performed to evaluate povidone iodine efficacy.

RESULTS

Following randomization, Group A included 19 patients, and Group B 21. Both groups were comparable. The mean drainage period was 9.21 days in Group A (6-14 days) and 15.62 days in Group B (7-31 days) (p = 0.001). The mean hospitalization period was 11.05 days in Group A (7-16 days) and 18.9 days in Group B (9-38 days) (p < 0.0001). The mean follow-up period was 6.8 months (3-18 months). No deaths were noted in either groups. Four side-effects were reported in Group A (21%) and four serious complications were noticed in Group B (19%). No recurrences were reported in Group A versus one recurrence of homolateral pneumothorax in Group B (4.76%).

CONCLUSIONS

Povidone iodine is an effective and safe solution for pleurodesis. It is associated with a low complication rate that remains acceptable, and could be proposed as treatment of prolonged parenchymal air-leak after lung resections.

A left lung with four lobes: a new discovery during the thoracotomy for recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Background

The right and left lung anatomy are similar but asymmetrical. The right lung consists of three lobes, and the left lung consists of two lobes. Our study is unique because of discovering a very rare morphological feature of the left lung which has not been reported yet. By the way, we compared two different available chemical agents for pleurodesis (talc and bleomycin) according to side effects, complications, and pneumothorax recurrence.

Case presentation

We reported a case of bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax, who underwent talc slurry and bleomycin pleurodesis at right and left side retrospectively, and then complicate with left-sided recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, so underwent open thoracotomy and was surprisingly and accidentally found to have 4 lobes and 3 fissures in left lung.

Conclusion

In our case report, there were one main oblique fissure and two accessory fissures which divided the lung into 4 separated lobes, and this discovery in human’s and other animals’ lung anatomy has not been previously reported. In our case study, the talc slurry was more effective in preventing spontaneous pneumothorax recurrence, but with more side effects than bleomycin. We could hypothesize that the morphological variation of the lung might affect spontaneous pneumothorax development and recurrence.

Cancer Treatment Related Pain

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Mechanical or chemical and mechanical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax: what is the most effective approach in preventing recurrence? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Surgical management of spontaneous pneumothorax typically involves wedge resection and mechanical pleurodesis. It is unclear whether combining mechanical and chemical pleurodesis can further reduce the recurrence rate. We have performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing the combined approach with mechanical pleurodesis alone.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the existing literature was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for all types of studies that compared combined pleurodesis to a single approach. We used the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Strengthening The Reporting of OBservational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) to assess the quality of the studies. Relative risk of pneumothorax recurrence was calculated, and the differences between the studies were examined. The primary outcome was the recurrence of pneumothorax.

RESULTS

Of 2301 eligible studies, 5 studies were included. Five hundred sixty-one patients who received combined pleurodesis were compared to 286 patients who received mechanical pleurodesis only. Patients treated with combined intervention had a 63% lower risk of developing a recurrent pneumothorax compared to single intervention [relative risk 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18-0.76; P = 0.006]. There were no statistically significant differences in the length of stay (standardized mean difference -0.17, 95% CI -0.39 to 0.05, P = 0.138), the duration of postoperative air leak (standardized mean difference 0.17, 95% CI -1.14 to 1.47, P = 0.804) or the duration of postoperative chest tube drainage (standardized mean difference -0.07, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.12, P = 0.471).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrated that combined intervention with mechanical and chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax may be more effective in preventing recurrence than mechanical pleurodesis alone. These findings will provide some guidance to surgeons in the decision-making process.

Vicryl Mesh Coverage Reduced Recurrence After Bullectomy for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

Although thoracoscopic stapled bullectomy is a standard procedure for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), the postoperative recurrence rate is high. We investigated whether using a Vicryl (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) mesh to cover the staple line after bullectomy reduces the postoperative recurrence rate.

METHODS

Our single-blind, parallel-group, prospective, randomized controlled trial at 2 medical centers in Taiwan studied patients with PSP who were aged 15 to 50 years and required thoracoscopic bullectomy. On the day of operation, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive Vicryl mesh (mesh group) or not (control group) after thoracoscopic bullectomy with linear stapling and mechanical apical pleural abrasion. Randomization was achieved using computer-generated random numbers in sealed envelopes. Our primary end point was the pneumothorax recurrence rate within 1 year after the operation (clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT01848860.) RESULTS: Between June 2013 and March 2016, 102 patients were assigned to the mesh group and 102 to the control group. Within 1 year after operation, recurrent pneumothorax was diagnosed in 3 patients (2.9%) in the mesh group compared with 16 (15.7%) in the control group (P = .005). The short-term postoperative results and hospitalization duration were comparable between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

For thoracoscopic bullectomy with linear stapling and mechanical apical pleural abrasion, the use of a Vicryl mesh to cover the staple line is effective for reducing the postoperative recurrence of pneumothorax. Vicryl mesh coverage can be considered an optimal adjunct to the standard surgical procedure for PSP.

The Management of Subcutaneous Emphysema in Pneumothorax: A Literature Review

Purpose of Review

Subcutaneous emphysema is often observed by clinicians in the context of pneumothorax. It is usually clinically insignificant, but in a few cases can progress to threaten the patient’s vision or airway. A variety of approaches to management of such cases are described in the literature. There no controlled trials and no guidelines on management, other than that the cause should be identified and treated wherever possible. The goal of this article is to review the described approaches to subcutaneous emphysema in pneumothorax and provide a reference to the clinician.

Summary

Treatment can be directed primarily towards treating an underlying pneumothorax and / or towards the subcutaneous emphysema. These are not mutually exclusive approaches. Management of the underlying pneumothorax includes conservative management; use of negative suction; siting of wider bore intercostal drains and definitive surgical management. Management of subcutaneous emphysema may include decompression techniques such as: ‘blow hole’ incisions or subcutaneous angio-catheters or tunnelled drains.

In the current absence of controlled trials is not possible to comment on the efficacy of these techniques: no recommendations on management of subcutaneous emphysema in pneumothorax can be made. Management will be significantly influenced by local technical expertise and patient factors for the foreseeable future.

Application of autologous blood patch in patients with non-expanded lungs and persistent air leak

Background

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pleurodesis procedure by ensuring the expansion of the lung and occluding lung parenchyma leaks with an autologous blood patch.

Methods

A total of 24 patients (17 males, 7 females; mean age 59.9±12.2 years; range, 30 to 86 years) who underwent autologous blood patch pleurodesis in our clinic between November 2015 and November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were not eligible to undergo chemical pleurodesis due to a nonexpandable lung or poor general condition. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and postoperative data were evaluated.

Results

The air leak stopped within 48 h after autologous blood patch pleurodesis in seven patients. The air leak significantly decreased in 13 patients, while it remained unchanged in four patients. A Heimlich valve was placed in the patients in whom the air leak stopped or significantly decreased. The follow-up chest X-rays showed that the respective lungs of these patients became completely expandable.

Conclusion

Our study results suggest that the autologous blood patch procedure is a favorable option for the patients who are unable to benefit much from the conventional chemical pleurodesis methods due to contraindications to surgery or the presence of non-expandable lungs.

Management of air leaks post-surgical lung resection

Airleaks are one of the most common complications associated with elective lung resection. There have been many techniques and modern advancements in thoracic surgery, however airleaks persist. This review article will discuss several interventions ranging from conservative noninvasive to surgical management of the persistent airleak. These techniques include stopping of suction on the plueravac, fibrin patches, pleurodesis, use of endobronchial valves (EBVs), return to OR for operative intervention, and lastly to send patients home with mini pleuravacs.

Management of Persistent Air Leaks Using Endobronchial Autologous Blood Patch and Spigot Occlusion: A Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial in China

BACKGROUND

Optimal management of persistent air leaks (PALs) in patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endobronchial autologous blood plus thrombin patch (ABP) and bronchial occlusion using silicone spigots (BOS) in patients with SSP accompanied by alveolar-pleural fistula (APF) and PALs.

METHODS

This prospective multicentre randomized controlled trial compared chest tube-attached water-seal drainage (CTD), ABP, and BOS that were performed between February 2015 and June 2017 in one of six tertiary care hospitals in China. Patients diagnosed with APF experiencing PALs (despite 7 days of CTD) and inoperable patients were included. Outcome measures included success rate of pneumothorax resolution at the end of the observation period (further 14 days), duration of air leak stop, lung expansion, hospital stay, and complications.

RESULTS

In total, 150 subjects were analysed in three groups (CTD, ABP, BOS) of 50 each. At 14 days, 60, 82, and 84% of CTD, ABP, and BOS subjects, respectively, experienced full resolution of pneumothorax (p = 0.008). All duration outcome measures were significantly better in the ABP and BOS groups than in the CTD group (p < 0.016 for all). The incidence of adverse events, including chest pain, cough, and fever, was not significantly different. All subjects in the ABP and BOS groups experienced temporary haemoptysis. Spigot displacement occurred in 8% of BOS subjects.

CONCLUSION

ABP and BOS resulted in clinically meaningful outcomes, including higher success rate, duration of air leak stop, lung expansion, and hospital stay, with an acceptable safety profile.

Talc pleurodesis for secondary pneumothorax in elderly patients with persistent air leak

Background

We herein report the usefulness of two types of talc pleurodesis for secondary pneumothorax of elderly patients with persistent air leak who have severe pulmonary emphysema.

Methods

We assessed 17 elderly patients with persistent air leak who received talc pleurodesis for secondary pneumothorax from April 2013 to March 2017. Thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TTP) (n=11) was performed in patients whose general condition was thought to sufficiently stable to tolerate for general anesthesia. Talc slurry pleurodesis (TSP) (n=6) via a chest tube was performed in patients whose general condition was thought to be insufficiently stable to tolerate general anesthesia.

Results

The median drainage period after pleurodesis was 6 days in patients who received TTP and 12 days in patients who received TSP. Complications associated with talc pleurodesis included atrial fibrillation (n=1) in the thoracoscopic poudrage group, while the slurry pleurodesis group showed chest pain (n=2), asthmatic attack (n=1), and pneumonia (n=1). All patients who received thoracoscopic poudrage were able to leave the hospital after removal of the chest tube. Five of the six patients who received slurry pleurodesis were able to leave the hospital, but one of them died of acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia (IP) on the 45th day after pleurodesis. The success rate was 94% (16/17). There were no cases of recurrence during the observation period.

Conclusions

TTP was deemed likely to be safe and effective for patients able to tolerate general anesthesia. In patients with IP, especially those treated with steroids, the indication of talc pleurodesis should be cautiously considered.

OK-432 pleurodesis for the treatment of pneumothorax in patients with interstitial pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Pneumothorax occasionally develops in patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) and is often intractable. As there exists no well-established treatment for pneumothorax with IP, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of pleurodesis with OK-432, a lyophilized preparation of Streptococcus pyogenes Su strain that has been inactivated by benzylpenicillin.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of pleurodesis using OK-432 in 39 patients treated for IP-related pneumothorax between January 2006 and May 2017. Five to 10 Klinische Einheit (KE) of OK-432 was injected through the chest tube of each patient. Pleurodesis was considered successful if 1) the chest tube was removed without air leaks and 2) there was no recurrence of pneumothorax within 4 weeks after tube removal, and no additional treatment was required.

RESULTS

OK-432 pleurodesis was performed 46 times in 39 patients. The median number of OK-432 intrapleural injections received was 1 (range, 1-6), and median dose was 10 KE (range, 5-55 KE). The success rate was 63% (29/46) and recurrence rate was 17.4% (8/46). Grade 5 adverse events were observed in eight patients, including two patients who developed acute exacerbation of IP. Patients in whom the first OK-432 pleurodesis was successful had a significantly longer median survival time than patients in whom it was unsuccessful (322 days vs. 70 days, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that OK-432 pleurodesis is an effective treatment for pneumothorax associated with IP; however, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of adverse events, especially in patients who are critically ill.

Comparisons of doxycycline solution with talc slurry for chemical pleurodesis and risk factors for recurrence in South Korean patients with spontaneous pneumothorax

Purpose

Talc slurry (TS) has been commonly used with high success rates in managing spontaneous pneumothroax (SP), but there were concerns of post-procedural complications. Alternatively, doxycycline solution (DS) was used successfully. This retrospective study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety between talc and doxycycline as a sclerosing agent and to investigate risk factors for recurrence in patients with SP.

Methods

The review of medical records between January 2011 and December 2014 was conducted on 83 patients with SP who underwent pleurodesis with either TS (n=16) or DS (n=67). Recurrence and complications were compared between the DS and TS groups. Associations between recurrence after DS treatment and various factors were analysed.

Results

Recurrence was significantly higher in the DS group than in the TS group (P=0.033), whereas complications were higher in the TS group than the DS group: fever was significantly higher in the TS group (P=0.001). Recurrences associated with doxycycline use were found significantly more often in patients with recurrent diagnosis of SP, height/weight ≥3.25 cm/kg and weight <55 kg.

Conclusion

Talc was more effective without recurrence compared with doxycycline. Clinically insignificant fever associated with pleurodesis was more common with talc. Low weight, high height to weight ratio and recurrent diagnosis of SP were associated with higher recurrence after doxycycline treatment.

Efficacy of treatments in primary spontaneous pneumothorax: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains a significant global health problem. Despite general agreement, an official algorithm for the management of PSP still does not exist.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluating the efficacy of all available treatments in PSP.

METHODS

A systematic search of 12 electronic databases was performed to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of any treatments in PSP. The primary endpoint was recurrence incidence; secondary were an immediate success, complication and hospitalization days. All available outcomes were included in frequentist network meta-analysis.

RESULTS

4262 patients of 29 RCTs were included. In patients with first episode of PSP, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), tube drainage and aspiration had no significant difference regarding recurrence. Chemical pleurodesis significantly reduced the recurrent incidence of 46% compared with aspiration and 54% compared with tube drainage. VATS and aspiration significantly decreased hospitalization days compared with tube drainage. In patients with recurrent or persistent PSP, thoracotomy with mechanical pleurodesis has a higher rank than VATS with or without pleurodesis in preventing recurrence, with no significant difference. VATS alone significantly reduced complications compared with all others treatments, except thoracotomy with abrasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspiration and tube drainage have no significant difference in treating patients with first episode of PSP regarding recurrence. Aspiration reduced hospitalization days when compared with tube drainage. Thoracotomy with mechanical pleurodesis and VATS with or without pleurodesis are not significantly different in preventing recurrence in patients with recurrent or persistent PSP. VATS alone reduced complications compared with others treatments except for thoracotomy with abrasion.

SECT Clinical practice guideline on the management of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) emerges as an initiative of the scientific committee of the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery. We formulated PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome) questions on various aspects of spontaneous pneumothorax. For the evaluation of the quality of evidence and preparation of recommendations we followed the guidelines of the Grading of recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group.

Persistent air leaks: a review with an emphasis on bronchoscopic management

Persistent air leak (PAL) is a cause of significant morbidity in patients who have undergone lung surgery and those with significant parenchymal lung disease suffering from a pneumothorax. Its management can be complex and challenging. Although conservative treatment with chest drain and observation is usually effective, other invasive techniques are needed when conservative treatment fails. Surgical management and medical pleurodesis have long been the usual treatments for PAL. More recently numerous bronchoscopic procedures have been introduced to treat PAL in those patients who are poor candidates for surgery or who decline surgery. These techniques include bronchoscopic use of sealants, sclerosants, and various types of implanted devices. Recently, removable one-way valves have been developed that are able to be placed bronchoscopically in the affected airways, ameliorating air-leaks in patients who are not candidates for surgery. Future comparative trials are needed to refine our understanding of the indications, effectiveness, and complications of bronchoscopic techniques for treating PAL. The following article will review the basic principles of management of PAL particularly focusing on bronchoscopic techniques.

Study of poly-ɛ-caprolactone membranes for pleurodesis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Pleurodesis with biomaterial membrane is an emerging treatment method for pneumothorax. However, the ideal one for the common disease is still under debate.

METHODS

We investigate the Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) membrane pleurodesis by using New Zealand White rabbits, which was sacrificed for examination one month later. Moreover, inflammation and fibrosis scoring were done under microscopic evaluation, as well as Western blot analysis in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Gross evaluation of pleurodesis score revealed that dense PCL membrane produced moderate pleural adhesion, while porous PCL membrane exhibited significantly higher pleurodesis scores.

CONCLUSION

PCL membrane induced significant degree of adhesion, both within the abdomen and chest of the rabbits. The porous PCL membrane produces more intensive adhesion than dense one. Fibronectin plays an important role in the process of pleurodesis. Further study is required for the clinical application of the promising material.

Is it possible to standardize the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax? Part 2: surgical methods of treatment

The present report provides a detailed description of the surgical methods for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) treatment, from open surgery (thoracotomy) to minimally invasive procedures (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery - VATS). It describes the methods of preventing pneumothorax recurrence, including partial or complete resection of the parietal pleura and chemical pleurodesis with VATS. The pros and cons of each method are presented. The paper also discusses new techniques for diagnosing pneumothorax, such as fluorescein-enhanced autofluorescence thoracoscopy (FEAT) and infrared thoracoscopy. Finally, the authors propose their own algorithm for the treatment of PSP.

Hemoptysis following Talc Pleurodesis in a Pneumothorax Patient

The purpose of this article is to report a case of hemoptysis occurring in combination with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax following chemical pleurodesis by talc. A Japanese male with cancer of renal pelvis was found with the left pneumothorax and multiple lung metastases. A computed-tomography scan revealed severe emphysema throughout the lungs. Talc pleurodesis was employed to arrest air leakage. The patient developed hemoptysis 45 minutes after talc injection into the thorax. This is the first report of hemoptysis following talc pleurodesis. The agent could induce severe inflammation in capillary vessels of the lung following visceral pleura infiltration.

Optimal surgical technique in spontaneous pneumothorax: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous thoracoscopic techniques have been used in the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), including wedge resection, pleurectomy, pleural abrasion, chemical pleurodesis, and staple line covering. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare outcomes for the most commonly reported techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search looking at pneumothorax recurrence rate, length of stay, and chest tube duration after surgery was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the PubMed database.

RESULTS

Fifty-one unique studies comprised of 6907 patients published between January 1988 and June 2015 were identified. Heterogeneity among effect sizes was significant for all outcomes. The lowest recurrence rates were observed in the wedge resection + chemical pleurodesis (1.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0%-2.7%) and the wedge resection + pleural abrasion + chemical pleurodesis (2.8%; 95% CI, 1.7%-4.7%) groups. The shortest chest tube duration and length of stay were observed in the wedge resection + staple line covering ± other group (2.1 d; 95% CI, 1.4-2.9 and 3.3 d; 95% CI, 2.6-4.0, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The variability in reported outcomes and the lack of published multicenter randomized controlled trials highlights a need for more robust investigations into the optimal surgical technique in the management of PSP. Based on the limited quality studies available, this systematic review favors wedge resection + chemical pleurodesis and wedge resection + pleural abrasion + chemical pleurodesis in terms of recurrence rate after surgery for PSP.

ERS task force statement: diagnosis and treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) affects young healthy people with a significant recurrence rate. Recent advances in treatment have been variably implemented in clinical practice. This statement reviews the latest developments and concepts to improve clinical management and stimulate further research.The European Respiratory Society's Scientific Committee established a multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists and surgeons to produce a comprehensive review of available scientific evidence.Smoking remains the main risk factor of PSP. Routine smoking cessation is advised. More prospective data are required to better define the PSP population and incidence of recurrence. In first episodes of PSP, treatment approach is driven by symptoms rather than PSP size. The role of bullae rupture as the cause of air leakage remains unclear, implying that any treatment of PSP recurrence includes pleurodesis. Talc poudrage pleurodesis by thoracoscopy is safe, provided calibrated talc is available. Video-assisted thoracic surgery is preferred to thoracotomy as a surgical approach.In first episodes of PSP, aspiration is required only in symptomatic patients. After a persistent or recurrent PSP, definitive treatment including pleurodesis is undertaken. Future randomised controlled trials comparing different strategies are required.

Intrapleural minocycline pleurodesis for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The role of chemical pleurodesis in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax remains unclear. According to current practice guidelines, chemical pleurodesis is reserved for patients who are unable or unwilling to have surgery. Some recent studies showed that intrapleural minocycline pleurodesis could decrease the rate of pneumothorax recurrence, when used either as the initial treatment for simple pneumothorax after successful aspiration and drainage or as an adjuvant treatment for complicated or recurrent pneumothorax following thoracoscopic surgery. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current available evidence on intrapleural minocycline pleurodesis for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

RECENT FINDINGS

In a recently published prospective, randomized controlled trial, additional minocycline pleurodesis following simple aspiration and drainage was a well tolerated and more effective initial treatment for a first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax than simple aspiration and drainage alone. Other prospective, randomized controlled trials showed that additional minocycline pleurodesis after thoracoscopic treatment was a well tolerated and convenient procedure which can reduce the rate of ipsilateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

SUMMARY

Intrapleural minocycline pleurodesis can be considered an adjunct to standard treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, after either simple aspiration and drainage or after thoracoscopic surgery.

Role of computed tomographic scanning prior to thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The role computed tomography (CT) performed prior to thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery for PSP during 2008-2012. Patients were stratified into two groups: CT group (patients who received preoperative CT scanning) and control group (patients who did not receive preoperative scanning). Short-term postoperative results and long-term pneumothorax recurrence rates were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 298 patients were studied. Preoperative CT scanning was performed in 140 of them. The duration of operation, incidence of bullae formation, number of excised specimens, rate of complications, and postoperative hospital stay were similar between the two groups. After a mean follow-up of 20 months, the recurrence rates were 8.6% (12/140) in the CT group and 5.7% (9/158) in the control group (p = 0.371). In the CT group, five patients had unexpected pulmonary findings and three of them (60%) developed pneumothorax recurrence, the rate of which was significantly higher than that in patients without unexpected pulmonary findings (9/135, 6.7%, p = 0.004). Unexpected pulmonary lesions were more commonly noted in females (4/19, 21.1%) than in males (1/121, 0.8%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative CT scanning was not associated with better results after thoracoscopic surgery for PSP and is, therefore, not justified as a routine examination prior to the operation. In female patients, however, preoperative CT scanning might be needed because these patients tended to have a higher incidence of unexpected pulmonary lesions, which were associated with a higher rate of recurrence.

Chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the pleural cavity. Spontaneous pneumothorax, occurring without antecedent traumatic or iatrogenic cause, is sub-divided into primary and secondary. The severity of pneumothorax could be varied from asymptomatic to hemodynamically compromised. Optimal management of this benign disease has been a matter of debate. In addition to evacuating air from the pleural space by simple aspiration or chest tube drainage, the management of spontaneous pneumothorax also focused on ceasing air leakage and preventing recurrences by surgical intervention or chemical pleurodesis. Chemical pleurodesis is a procedure to achieve symphysis between the two layers of pleura by sclerosing agents. In the current practice guidelines, chemical pleurodesis is reserved for patients unable or unwilling to receive surgery. Recent researches have found that chemical pleurodesis is also safe and effective in preventing pneumothorax recurrence in patients with the first episode of spontaneous pneumothorax or after thoracoscopic surgery and treating persistent air leakage after thoracoscopic surgery. In this article we aimed at exploring the role of chemical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax, including ceasing air leakage and preventing recurrence. The indications, choice of sclerosants, safety, effects, and possible side effects or complications of chemical pleurodesis are also reviewed here.