Treatment of complicated spontaneous pneumothorax by simple talc pleurodesis under thoracoscopy and local anaesthesia

Thoracoscopic blood patch instillation for persistent air leak in pneumothorax: a case series and systematic review

Persistent air leaks in patients with pneumothorax can lead to significant morbidity. If a patient with persistent air leak is medically unfit for thoracic surgery, medical pleurodesis via chest tube or thoracoscopy is either an option. Thoracoscopy offers the advantage of visualizing the site of the air leak and enabling direct instillation of the pleurodesis agent or glue at that location. Autologous blood patch instillation via chest tube has been reported to be a cheap and very effective technique for the management of persistent air leaks. However, thoracoscopic blood patch instillation has not been reported in the literature. We report two cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in which patients had persistent air leaks for more than seven days and were subjected to thoracoscopy to locate the site of the leak. In the same sitting, 50 mL of autologous blood patch was instilled directly at the leak site. Post-procedure, the air leak subsided in both patients, and the chest tube was removed with complete lung expansion. We also conducted a systematic review of the use of medical thoracoscopic interventions for treating persistent air leaks.

Beyond diagnosis: a narrative review of the evolving therapeutic role of medical thoracoscopy in the management of pleural diseases

Background and Objective

Medical thoracoscopy (MT) is an endoscopic technique performed by interventional pulmonologists with a favorable safety profile and few contraindications, providing diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in a single sitting. This narrative review was designed to summarize the therapeutic role of MT based on the latest results from the available literature.

Methods

Pertinent literature published in English, relative to human studies, between 2010-2022 was searched in Medline/PubMed and Cochrane databases. Publications regarded as relevant were considered for inclusion in this review; additional references were added based on the authors' knowledge and judgment. The review considered population studies, meta-analyses, case series, and case reports.

Key Content and Findings

MT has mostly been described and is currently used globally in the diagnostic approach to exudative pleural effusion of undetermined origin. Carefully evaluating the literature, it is clear that there is initial evidence to support the use of MT in the therapeutic approach of malignant pleural effusion, pneumothorax, empyema, and less frequently hemothorax and foreign body retrieval.

Conclusions

MT is an effective procedure for treating the clinical entities presented in this document; it must be carried out in selected patients, managed in centers with high procedural expertise. Further evidence is needed to assess the optimal indications and appropriate patients' profiles for therapeutic MT. The endpoints of length of hospital stay, surgical referral, complications and mortality will have to be considered in future studies to validate it as a therapeutic intervention to be applied globally.

Manejo quirúrgico del neumotórax espontáneo primario. Encuesta nacional del Grupo Emergente de Cirugía Torácica de la Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR)

Introduction

In February 2022, the Emerging Thoracic Surgery Group of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery initiated a multicenter study on the surgical management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). As a preliminary step, this survey was developed with the aim of finding out the current situation in our country to specify and direct this project.

Method

A descriptive study was carried out based on the results of this survey launched through the Google Docs® platform. The survey was sent to all active national thoracic surgeons, a total of 319. It consisted of 20 questions including demographic, surgical and follow-up data.

Results

We obtained 124 responses (39% of all specialists and doctors in training in the national territory). The most consistent indications were: homolateral recurrence for 124 (100%), lack of resolution of the episode for 120 (96.7%), risk professions for 104 (84%) and bilateral pneumothorax for 93 (75%). The approach of choice for 100% of respondents was videothoracoscopy. Of these, 96 contemplated pulmonary resection of obvious lesions (77%). Regarding the pleurodesis technique, pleural abrasion was the technique most used by 70 respondents (56.7%) while 49 (40%) performed chemical pleurodesis with talc either alone or in combination with mechanical pleurodesis.

Conclusions

While there is some consistency in some aspects of surgical management of PSP, this survey makes evident the variability in pleurodesis techniques applied among surgeons in our country.

Chemical pleurodesis with Viscum album L. extract for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in elderly patients

Background

Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is generally managed by surgery, if pneumothorax was not improved following chest tube insertion or in the event of persistent air leakage lasting more than 5 days. However, if surgery is not an option, chemical pleurodesis with sclerosants can be performed. Several sclerosants have been used in the chemical pleurodesis of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, However, there is still controversy for what is the ideal sclerosant for Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. The use of Viscum album L. for chemical pleurodesis in patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax aged >65 years has not been described to date, despite its extensive use. The authors tried to find out the effect of Viscum album L. for sclerosant for Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in elder.

Methods

This retrospective analysis examined 25 patients (aged >65 years) with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax with persistent air leakage who underwent chemical pleurodesis with Abnova Viscum-F^® (V. album L.).

Results

The duration of chest tube drainage was 5.08 days after chemical pleurodesis. Adverse effects related to chemical pleurodesis with Abnova Viscum-F^® were fever (7/25), pain (4/25), leukocytosis (10/25), and dyspnea with desaturation (7/25); however all the patients recovered without sequela and were subsequently discharged.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated the successful use of chemical pleurodesis with V. album L. in the management of elderly patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Because of the high probability of dyspnea with desaturation in the elderly, caution must be exercised.

Anaphylactic Shock Caused by Talc Pleurodesis Performed for Postoperative Air Leakage

Chemical pleurodesis, including talc pleurodesis, has been commonly used to prevent malignant pleural effusions and pneumothorax. This report describes a case of anaphylactic shock caused by talc pleurodesis. A 69-year-old woman who had prolonged air leakage after lobectomy underwent talc pleurodesis. Just after the talc administration, she went into shock. We immediately treated her for anaphylactic shock and simultaneously removed talc from the thoracic cavity through a thoracic tube. She subsequently recovered from shock. She had no further symptoms and was discharged 10 days after pleurodesis. Talc pleurodesis rarely causes severe complications, but it is necessary to treat these appropriately when they occur.

Nonintubated Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for the Management of Primary and Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of primary and secondary pneumothorax was first reported in 1997 by Nezu. However, studies on this technique are few. Research in the past 20 years has focused on the perioperative outcomes, including the surgical duration, length of hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity and respiratory complication rates, which appear to be better than those of surgery under intubated general anesthesia. This study provides information pertaining to the physiologic, surgical, and anesthetic aspects and describes the potential benefits of nonintubated thoracoscopic surgery for the management of primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Talc Pleurodesis Versus Pleurectomy for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Large Single-Centre Study with No Conversion

BACKGROUND

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a relatively common clinical entity with high incidence in the young population. Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) bullectomy and chemical or mechanical pleurodesis are two primary modalities of treatment. There has been much debate on the ideal mode of pleurodesis, but the literature on surgical outcomes comparing VATS pleurectomy with talc pleurodesis has been inconclusive.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre 5-year observational retrospective study of 202 patients who underwent VATS bullectomy with talc pleurodesis or parietal pleurectomy.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the demographics, pre-operative and intra-operative characteristics in both groups. Recurrence of pneumothorax, chest tube duration and hospital stay were similar in both groups. However, talc pleurodesis had a shorter operative time compared to pleurectomy.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated comparable outcomes between talc pleurodesis and pleurectomy following VATS bullectomy for patients with PSP.

New insights and improved strategies for the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

The pathophysiology and management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are a subject of debate. Despite advances in the understanding of its etiopathogenesis and improvements in its management, implementation in clinical practice is suboptimal. In this manuscript, we review the recent literature with a focus on PSP pathophysiology and management. Blebs and emphysema-like changes (ELC) are thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of PSP but cannot explain all cases. Recent studies emphasize the role of a diffuse porosity of the visceral pleura. Others found a relationship between smoking, occurrence of a PSP and bronchiolitis, which could be the initial pathological process leading to ELC development. Recent or ongoing studies challenge the need to systematically remove air from the pleural cavity of stable patients, introducing conservative management as a valuable therapeutic option. Evidence is growing in favour of needle aspiration instead of chest tube insertion, when air evacuation is needed. In addition, ambulatory management is considered as a successful approach in meta-analyses and is under exploration in a large randomized study. Because of a high recurrence rate of PSP, the benefit of performing a pleurodesis at first occurrence is under evaluation with interesting but not generalizable results. Better identification of 'at risk patients' is needed to improve the investigation strategy. Finally, recent publications confirm the efficacy, security and cost-effectiveness of graded talc poudrage pleurodesis to prevent PSP recurrence. In conclusion, PSP pathophysiology and management are still under investigation. The results of recently published and ongoing studies should be more widely implemented in clinical practice.

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.

Applying Fibrin Glue under Pleurography for Intractable Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

 Prolonged air leakage is a problem that can frequently develop in patients with a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) or in those who undergo thoracic surgery. However, the management of an air leak is difficult and reoperation might be avoided due to several reasons including adhesions. Herein, we introduce a fibrin glue application under pleurography (FGAP) and short-term outcomes in patients who underwent this procedure.

METHODS

 FGAP was performed in 20 patients with an intractable persistent air leakage who had poor lung function, comorbidities to undergo general anesthesia and were expected severe adhesions due to previous surgery. All medical records were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

 Eighteen cases sealed soon after dropping the glue. One patient had a prolonged air leak for 12 days and another patient required an operation to control air leakage 16 days after the procedure. The mean duration of postoperative drainage was 4.17 ± 2.11 days (range: 3-14 days). No postprocedural complications were recorded. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.01 ± 5.02 months (range: 4-22 months).

CONCLUSION

 FGAP could be a treatment option to seal air leaks, especially in cases with intractable air leakage.

Anesthesia for nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review focuses primarily on nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (NIVATS), and discusses advantages, indications, anesthetic techniques, and approaches to intraoperative crisis management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advancements in endoscopic, endovascular, and robotic techniques have expanded the range of surgical procedures that can be performed in a minimally invasive fashion. For thoracic operations in particular, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has largely replaced traditional thoracotomy, and continued technical development has made surgical access into the pleural space even less disruptive. As a consequence, the need for general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation has been re-examined, such that regional or epidural analgesia may be sufficient for cases where lung collapse can be accomplished with spontaneous ventilation and an open hemithorax. This concept of NIVATS has gained popularity, and in some centers has now expanded to include procedures involving placement of multiple ports. Although still relatively uncommon at present, a small number of randomized trials and meta-analyses have indicated some advantages, suggesting that NIVATS may be a desirable alternative to general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation for specific indications.

SUMMARY

Although anesthesia for NIVATS is associated with some of the same risks as general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, NIVATS can be successfully performed in carefully selected patients.

Nonintubated-Awake Anesthesia for Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Procedures

Nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) strategies are gaining popularity. This review focuses on noninutbated VATS, and discusses advantages, indications, anesthetic techniques, and approaches to intraoperative crisis management. Advances in endoscopic, endovascular, and robotic techniques have expanded the range of surgical procedures that can be performed in a minimally invasive fashion. The nonintubated thoracoscopic approach has been adapted for use with major lung resections. The need for general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation has been reexamined, such that regional or epidural analgesia may be sufficient for cases where lung collapse can be accomplished with spontaneous ventilation and an open hemithorax.

Effectiveness of chemical pleurodesis in spontaneous pneumothorax recurrence prevention: a systematic review

Objectives

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common pathology. International guidelines suggest pleurodesis for non-resolving air leak or recurrence prevention at second occurrence. This study comprehensively reviews the existing literature regarding chemical pleurodesis efficacy.

Design

We systematically reviewed the literature to identify relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs), case–control studies and case series. We described the findings of these studies and tabulated relative recurrence rates or ORs (in studies with control groups). Meta-analysis was not performed due to substantial clinical heterogeneity.

Results

Of 560 abstracts identified by our search strategy, 50 were included in our systematic review following screening. Recurrence rates in patients with chest tube drainage only were between 26.1% and 50.1%. Thoracoscopic talc poudrage (four studies (n=249)) provided recurrence rates of between 2.5% and 10.2% with the only RCT suggesting an OR of 0.10 compared with drainage alone. In comparison, talc administration during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) from eight studies (n=2324) recurrence was between 0.0% and 3.2%, but the RCT did not demonstrate a significant difference compared with bleb/bullectomy alone. Minocycline appears similarly effective post-VATS (recurrence rates 0.0–2.9%). Prolonged air leak and recurrence prevention using tetracycline via chest drain (n=726) is likely to provide recurrence rates between 13.0% and 33.3% and autologous blood patch pleurodesis (n=270) between 15.6% and 18.2%.

Conclusions

Chemical pleurodesis postsurgical treatment or via thoracoscopy appears to be most effective. Evidence for definitive success rates of each agent is limited by the small number of randomised trials or other comparative studies.

Advances in pleural diseases: what is the future for medical thoracoscopy?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Medical thoracoscopy provides the physician a window into the pleural space. The procedure allows biopsy of the parietal pleura under direct visualization with good accuracy. In addition, it achieves therapeutic goals of fluid drainage, guided chest tube placement, and pleurodesis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Comparable diagnostic yield is achieved with the flexi-rigid pleuroscope even though pleural biopsies are smaller using the flexible forceps as compared to rigid thoracoscopy. Flexi-rigid pleuroscopy is extremely well tolerated and can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure. Biopsy quality can be further enhanced with accessories that are compatible with the flex-rigid pleuroscope such as the insulated tip knife and cryoprobe.

SUMMARY

With more sensitive tools to image the pleura such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography, MRI, ultrasonography, PET, increased yield with image-guided biopsy as well as advances in cytopathology, what lies in the future for medical thoracoscopy remains to be seen. However, it is the authors' opinion that medical thoracoscopy will evolve with time, complement novel techniques, and continue to play a pivotal role in the evaluation of pleuropulmonary diseases.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax: a cohort study of VATS with talc poudrage

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an increasingly common treatment for recurrent or persistent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Surgery usually involves diffuse treatment of the pleura and possible targeted therapy to areas of bullous disease. The purpose of this large cohort study was to examine incidence of recurrence after VATS and identify predictors of outcome.

METHODS

Patients undergoing VATS for PSP at a single centre between 2000 and 2012 were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent talc poudrage. Targeted surgical techniques were used based on presence of air leak and Vanderschueren's stage. Patients had clinical and radiological follow-up for at least 2 years (median 8.5 years).

RESULTS

1415 patients with PSP underwent VATS with talc poudrage. The most frequent indications were recurrent pneumothorax (92.2%) and persistent air leak (6.5%). The complication rate was 2.0% of which 1.7% was prolonged air leak. There was no mortality. Median length of stay was 5 days. Recurrent pneumothorax occurred in 26 patients (1.9%). At the time of surgery, 592 patients smoked (43%) and they had a significantly higher incidence of recurrence (24/575, 4.2%) than non-smokers (2/805, 0.2%), p<0.001. The incidence of recurrence in those undergoing bullae suturing (3.8%, n=260) was significant higher than those undergoing poudrage alone (0.3%, p=0.036).

CONCLUSION

The marked difference in recurrence between smokers and non-smokers suggests this as an important predictor of outcome. This study demonstrates a low incidence of recurrence and complications for patients with PSP undergoing VATS with talc poudrage. Talc poudrage requires prospective comparison with pleurectomy and mechanical abrasion.

Transareolar pulmonary bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

Conventional 3-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is the classic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Transareolar pulmonary bullectomy rarely has been attempted. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this novel minimally invasive technique in managing primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2014, a total of 112 male patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax underwent transareolar pulmonary bullectomy by use of a 5-mm thoracoscope.

RESULTS

All procedures were performed successfully, with a mean operating time of 26.5 minutes. The mean length of transareolar incision for the main operation was 2.0 ± 0.2 cm, the mean length of incision for the camera port was 0.6 ± 0.1 cm, and the mean postoperative cosmetic score was 3.0 ± 0.8. All patients regained consciousness rapidly after surgery. One hundred seven patients (95.5%) were discharged on postoperative day 2 or 3, with the remainder discharged on postoperative day 4 or 5. Postoperative complications were minor. At 6 months postoperatively, there was no obvious surgical scar on the chest wall, and no patient complained of postoperative pain. No recurrent symptoms were observed. One-year follow-up revealed an excellent cosmetic result and degree of satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Transareolar pulmonary bullectomy is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for primary spontaneous pneumothorax caused by pulmonary bullae. The incision is hidden in the areola with excellent cosmetic effects. This novel procedure shows promise as a treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Multicentric Genome-Wide Association Study for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Despite elevated incidence and recurrence rates for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (PSP), little is known about its etiology, and the genetics of idiopathic PSP remains unexplored. To identify genetic variants contributing to sporadic PSP risk, we conducted the first PSP genome-wide association study. Two replicate pools of 92 Portuguese PSP cases and of 129 age- and sex-matched controls were allelotyped in triplicate on the Affymetrix Human SNP Array 6.0 arrays. Markers passing quality control were ranked by relative allele score difference between cases and controls (|RAS_diff|), by a novel cluster method and by a combined Z-test. 101 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected using these three approaches for technical validation by individual genotyping in the discovery dataset. 87 out of 94 successfully tested SNPs were nominally associated in the discovery dataset. Replication of the 87 technically validated SNPs was then carried out in an independent replication dataset of 100 Portuguese cases and 425 controls. The intergenic rs4733649 SNP in chromosome 8 (between LINC00824 and LINC00977) was associated with PSP in the discovery (P = 4.07E-03, OR_C[95% CI] = 1.88[1.22–2.89]), replication (P = 1.50E-02, OR_C[95% CI] = 1.50[1.08–2.09]) and combined datasets (P = 8.61E-05, OR_C[95% CI] = 1.65[1.29–2.13]). This study identified for the first time one genetic risk factor for sporadic PSP, but future studies are warranted to further confirm this finding in other populations and uncover its functional role in PSP pathogenesis.

Role of medical thoracoscopy in the treatment of tuberculous pleural effusion

BACKGROUND

Fibrous tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) represents common disease in tuberculous clinic. Medical thoracoscopy has been used to treat pleural empyema and shown promising outcomes, but data of its use in multiloculated and organized TPE remains limited to know.

METHODS

The study was performed on 430 cases with TPE. The cases were divided into free-flowing, multiloculated effusion and organized effusion group. Each group was subdivided into two or three types of therapeutic approaches: ultrasound guided pigtail catheter, large-bore tube chest drainage and medical thoracoscopy. Patients with multiloculated or organized effusions received streptokinase, introduced into the pleural cavity via chest tubes. The successful effectiveness of the study was defined as duration of chest drainage, time from treatment to discharge days and no further managements.

RESULTS

Patients with organized effusion were older than those with free-flowing effusion and incidence of organized effusion combined with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was higher than those of multiloculated effusion and free-flowing effusion respectively. Positive tuberculosis of pleural fluid culture was higher in organized effusion than that in free-flowing effusion. Sputum positive for acid-fast bacillus (AFB) in organized effusion was higher than that in multiloculated effusion and free-flowing effusion. Medical thoracoscopy showed significant efficacy in the group of multiloculated effusion and organized effusion but free-flowing effusion. No chronic morbidity and mortality related to complications was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical thoracoscopy was a safe and successful method in treating multiloculated and organized TPE.

The past, current and future of diagnosis and management of pleural disease

Pleural disease is frequently encountered by the chest physician. Pleural effusions arise as the sequelae of underlying disease processes including pressure/volume imbalances, infection and malignancy. In addition to pleural effusions, persistent air leaks after surgery and bronchopleural fistulae remain a challenge. Our understanding of pleural disease including its diagnosis and management, have made tremendous strides. The introduction of the molecular detection of organism specific infection, risk stratification and improvements in the non-surgical treatment of patients with pleural infection are all within reach and may be the standard of care in the very near future. Malignant pleural effusion management continues to evolve with the introduction of tunneled pleural catheters and procedures combining that and chemical pleurodesis. These advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of pleural disease as well as what seems to be an increasing multidisciplinary interest in the space foretell a bright future.

Non-intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery management of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax

Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) is serious entity, usually due to underlying disease, mainly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its morbidity and mortality is high due to the pulmonary compromised status of these patients, and the recurrence rate is almost 50%, increasing mortality with each episode. For persistent or recurrent SSP, surgery under general anesthesia (GA) and mechanical ventilation (MV) with lung isolation is the gold standard, but ventilator-induced damages and dependency, and postoperative pulmonary complications are frequent. In the last two decades, several groups have reported successful results with non-intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (NI-VATS) with thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) and/or local anesthesia under spontaneous breathing. Main benefits reported are operative time, operation room time and hospital stay reduction, and postoperative respiratory complications decrease when comparing to GA, thus encouraging for further research in these moderate to high risk patients many times rejected for the standard regimen. There are also reports of special situations with satisfactory results, as in contralateral pneumonectomy and lung transplantation. The aim of this review is to collect, analyze and discuss all the available evidence, and seek for future lines of investigation.

The role for medical thoracoscopy in pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is a life threatening situation that requires fast treatment. There are two major classifications: Primary and Secondary. Staging of pneumothorax is also very important for treatment. Treatment of pneumont can be performed either from thoracic surgeons, or pulmonary physicians. In our current work we provide up-to-date information regarding pneumothorax classification, staging and treatment from the point of view of expert pulmonary physicians.

Advances in interventional pulmonology

Interventional pulmonology (IP) remains a rapidly expanding and evolving subspecialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases of the thorax. As the field continues to push the leading edge of medical technology, new procedures allow for novel minimally invasive approaches to old diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and metastatic or primary lung malignancy. In addition to technologic advances, IP has matured into a defined subspecialty, requiring formal training necessary to perform the advanced procedures. This need for advanced training has led to the need for standardization of training and the institution of a subspecialty board examination. In this review, we will discuss the dynamic field of IP as well as novel technologies being investigated or employed in the treatment of thoracic disease.

From "awake" to "monitored anesthesia care" thoracic surgery: A 15 year evolution

Although general anesthesia still represents the standard when performing thoracic surgery, the interest toward alternative methods is increasing. These have evolved from the employ of just local or regional analgesia techniques in completely alert patients (awake thoracic surgery), to more complex protocols entailing conscious sedation and spontaneous ventilation. The main rationale of these methods is to prevent serious complications related to general anesthesia and selective ventilation, such as tracheobronchial injury, acute lung injury, and cardiovascular events. Trends toward shorter hospitalization and reduced overall costs have also been indicated in preliminary reports. Monitored anesthesia care in thoracic surgery can be successfully employed to manage diverse oncologic conditions, such as malignant pleural effusion, peripheral lung nodules, and mediastinal tumors. Main non-oncologic indications include pneumothorax, emphysema, pleural infections, and interstitial lung disease. Furthermore, as the familiarity with this surgical practice has increased, major operations are now being performed this way. Despite the absence of randomized controlled trials, there is preliminary evidence that monitored anesthesia care protocols in thoracic surgery may be beneficial in high-risk patients, with non-inferior efficacy when compared to standard operations under general anesthesia. Monitored anesthesia care in thoracic surgery should enter the armamentarium of modern thoracic surgeons, and adequate training should be scheduled in accredited residency programs.

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.

Management of infectious processes of the pleural space: a review

Pleural effusions can present in 40% of patients with pneumonia. Presence of an effusion can complicate the diagnosis as well as the management of infection in lungs and pleural space. There has been an increase in the morbidity and mortality associated with parapneumonic effusions and empyema. This calls for employment of advanced treatment modalities and development of a standardized protocol to manage pleural sepsis early. There has been an increased understanding about the indications and appropriate usage of procedural options at clinicians' disposal.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax: a diffuse disease of the pleura

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is by definition not associated with any underlying lung disease. However, this does not mean that there is no underlying pathological process. It has become increasingly apparent over recent years that PSP is associated with diffuse and often bilateral abnormalities within the pleura and is not simply a disease caused by ruptured blebs/bullae. The pathological process includes emphysema-like changes, pleural porosity and inflammation. In this review, we summarise the recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of PSP and discuss how this relates to management strategies for patients with PSP.

Pleural controversy: aetiology of pneumothorax

Pneumothoraces are classified as spontaneous, traumatic and iatrogenic. Spontaneous pneumothoraces that occur without recognized lung disease are termed primary spontaneous pneumothoraces (PSP), whereas those that occur due to an underlying lung disease are termed secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces. The aetiology of secondary, traumatic or iatrogenic pneumothoraces is not usually debated. However, the aetiology of PSP is potentially controversial and often debated. Therefore, PSP is the focus of this article. There are several purported causes, which include blebs, bullae, emphysema-like changes (ELC) and pleural porosity. The controversy is valid because of the importance of recurrence prevention. This article reviews the current available evidence for the causes of PSP. The causes of PSP are likely a combination ELC, pleural porosity and other potential factors.

Complications in patients with severe emphysema

Thoracic surgeons frequently evaluate patients with severe emphysema and concomitant pathology requiring pulmonary resection. There are no absolute guidelines defining the suitability of a given patient for resection. In this review, we outline our approach to evaluating and treating patients with severe emphysema in need of resection. We describe the lessons learned from lung volume reduction surgery and apply that knowledge to the care of the patient with severe emphysema. Careful preoperative evaluation of the patient's lung anatomy, distribution of emphysematous changes in the lung, and overall health is essential to identifying the appropriate candidate for resection and avoiding postoperative complications.

Effects of additional pleurodesis with dextrose and talc-dextrose solution after video assisted thoracoscopic procedures for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

Recurrence after thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a lingering problem, and many intraoperative methods to induce pleural symphysis have been introduced. We analyzed the effects of chemical pleurodesis during thoracoscopic procedures. Between August 2003 and July 2005, 141 patients among indicated surgical treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in two hospitals of our institution allowed this prospective study. The patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: thoracoscopic procedure only (group A, n=50), thoracoscopic procedure and pleurodesis with dextrose solution (group B, n=49), and thoracoscopic procedure and pleurodesis with talc-dextrose mixed solution (group C, n=42). There was no significant difference in demographic data among the three groups. The two groups that underwent intraoperative pleurodesis had significantly longer postoperative hospital stays (A/B/C: 2.50+/-1.85/4.49+/-2.10/6.00+/-2.58 days; p=0.001) and a higher incidence of postoperative fever (A/B/C: 10.0/22.45/52.38%; chi(2)= 21.598, p=0.00). No significant differences were found for recurrence rates or the number of postoperative days until chest tube removal. Therefore, the results of our study indicate that intraoperative chemical pleurodesis gives no additional advantage to surgery alone in deterring recurrence for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Thus, the use of such scarifying agents in the operating room must be reconsidered.

The role of awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in spontaneous pneumothorax

OBJECTIVE

We assessed in a randomized study the feasibility and efficacy of awake video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleural abrasion to treat spontaneous pneumothorax.

METHODS

Between January 2001 and June 2005, a total of 43 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were randomly assigned by computer to undergo video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy and pleural abrasion under sole thoracic epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia with single-lung ventilation (control group). Primary outcome measures included technical feasibility and patient satisfaction with anesthesia as scored into 4 grades (from 1, unsatisfactory, to 4, excellent). Secondary outcome measures included global operating room time, assessment of thoracic pain by visual analog pain scale, number of nursing care calls, hospital stay, and recurrences within 12 months.

RESULTS

In the awake group, technical feasibility was scored as excellent, good, and satisfactory in 8, 7, and 6 patients, respectively. Intergroup comparisons (awake versus control) showed that global operating room time (78.0 +/- 20.0 vs 105.0 +/- 15.0 minutes, P < .0001), perioperative visual analog pain scale score (2.0 +/- 3.0 vs 3.5 +/- 2.0, P = .005), nursing care calls (2.0 +/- 1 vs 3.0 +/- 3.0, P = .017), hospital stay (2.0 +/- 1.0 days vs 3.0 +/- 1.0 days, P < .0001), and overall costs (2540 euros +/- 352 euros vs 3550 euros +/- 435 euros, P < .0001) were significantly better in the awake group. In the awake group, 5 patients (23.8%) could be discharged within the first 24 postoperative hours. One patient in the awake group and 2 patients in the control group had recurrences within 12 months (difference not significant).

CONCLUSION

In our study, awake video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleural abrasion proved easily feasible and resulted in shorter hospital stays and reduced procedure-related costs while providing equivalent outcome to procedures performed under general anesthesia.

Minimal access thoracic surgery in the pediatric population

Thoracoscopy was initially described for use in children to obtain pulmonary biopsy samples in the immunocompromised patient. With refinements in technique, development of better instrumentation, and advances in pediatric anesthesia, there are now many diagnostic and therapeutic indications for the use of thoracoscopy in children. One of the most common indications includes pleural debridement for empyema. Many centers consider this the optimal approach for biopsy of mediastinal lesions and excision of bronchogenic or duplication cysts. The technique is useful for pleural disorders, such as spontaneous pneumothorax and chylothorax. Thoracoscopy has been used to achieve exposure for spinal diskectomy in children with thoracic scoliosis, and newer techniques are being developed in performing anatomic lobectomies, repair of esophageal atesias, and closure of diaphragmatic hernias. The role of the robot in pediatric thoracoscopy is still in the early stages of definition.

Preliminary Report of a Prospective, Randomized Trial of Underwater Seal for Spontaneous and Iatrogenic Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

Management of pneumothorax has traditionally been tube thoracostomy and -20 cm H2O suction. The purpose of our study was to determine if underwater seal in iatrogenic and spontaneous pneumothoraces is safe and efficacious and if small-caliber chest tubes are appropriate for routine use in pneumothorax.

STUDY DESIGN

From April 2001 through October 2003 patients with iatrogenic or spontaneous pneumothorax were enrolled in this prospective, randomized trial. Small-bore catheters were inserted. Initial management was 1 hour -20 cm H2O suction, chest radiography, and randomization into -20 cm H2O suction, -10 cm H2O suction, or underwater seal. Tubes were discontinued at 48 hours if there were no pneumothoraces and no air leaks. Those with air leaks and recurrent pneumothoraces persisting 5 days underwent pleurodesis. The primary end point was successful chest tube removal at 48 hours. The secondary end point was need for pleurodesis.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were analyzed. Seven were randomized to -20 cm H2O suction, 11 to -10 cm H2O suction, and 11 to underwater seal. Most (59%, 17 of 29) chest tubes were successfully removed 48 hours after placement: 57% (4 of 7) after -20 cm H2O suction, 73% (8 of 11) after -10 cm H2O suction, and 45% (5 of 11) after underwater seal (p = 0.48). Seven (24%) required pleurodesis: 29% (2 of 7) after -20 cm H2O suction, 27% (3 of 11) after -10 cm H2O suction, and 18% (2 of 11) after underwater seal (p = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Early underwater seal appears to be safe for treating iatrogenic and spontaneous pneumothoraces. It can achieve comparable frequencies of early chest tube removal and avoidance of operation compared with traditional management. A larger, multi-institutional study should be performed to demonstrate that pneumothorax treatment can effectively incorporate small-caliber tubes and underwater seal.

Videothoracoscopic talc poudrage in primary spontaneous pneumothorax: A single-institution experience in 861 cases

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the outcome of 861 patients treated with videothoracoscopic talc poudrage for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

METHODS

From September 1995 through January 2004, a total of 861 patients (578 male, 283 female, mean age 28.6 years) underwent videothoracoscopy for recurrent and complicated primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Patients were treated with videothoracoscopic talc poudrage only (group A: Vanderschueren's stage I, 196 patients; stage II, 112 patients) or videothoracoscopic talc poudrage plus stapling of the blebs/bullae (group B: stage III, 391 patients; stage IV 162 patients). Follow-up included clinical interview and chest radiography (805 patients). In 26 patients (follow-up longer than 5 years), respiratory function was investigated to determine residual volume and diffusing lung capacity.

RESULTS

No operative deaths occurred. No patient had adult respiratory distress syndrome. Postoperative complications occurred in 29 patients (3.36%). The conversion rate to an open procedure was 0.46% (4/861). After a mean follow-up of 52.5 months, 14 patients had recurrences (1.73%). The recurrence rate was 2.41% (7/290) in group A and 1.359% (7/515) in group B (chi2 value: 1.207389; P:.27; odds ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.20-1.62). Results of respiratory function tests were within normal ranges (80% or more of predictive value) in all 26 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Videothoracoscopic talc poudrage achieves a high success rate in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax with a very low morbidity rate. Recurrences show a statistically significant relationship (P:.037) with smoking habits.

Additional minocycline pleurodesis after thoracoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

RATIONALE

Ipsilateral recurrence rates of spontaneous pneumothorax after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery are higher than rates after open thoracotomy.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine whether additional minocycline pleurodesis would be effective in diminishing recurrence after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

METHODS

Between June 2001 and February 2004, 202 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were treated by conventional or needlescopic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The procedures included resection of blebs and mechanical pleurodesis by scrubbing the parietal pleura. After the operation, patients were randomly assigned to additional minocycline pleurodesis (103 patients) or to observation (99 patients).

MAIN RESULTS

Patients in the minocycline group had higher intensity chest pain and required a higher accumulated dose of meperidine. Short-term results showed that the two groups had comparable chest drainage duration, postoperative hospital stay, and complication rates. Patients in the minocycline group demonstrated a trend of decreased rate of prolonged air leaks (1.9 vs. 6.1%, p = 0.100). After a mean follow-up of 29 mo (12-47 mo), recurrent ipsilateral pneumothorax was noted in two patients in the minocycline group and eight patients in the observation group (p = 0.044 by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test). Postoperative long-term residual chest pain and pulmonary function were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although associated with intense immediate chest pain, additional minocycline pleurodesis is a safe and convenient procedure that can reduce the rate of ipsilateral recurrence after thoracoscopic treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Treatment of Sonographically Stratified Multiloculated Thoracic Empyema by Medical Thoracoscopy

INTRODUCTION

In cases of empyema, some form of intervention, either chest tube drainage, thoracoscopy, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), or thoracotomy, with or without pleural fibrinolysis, is required. What the best approach is and when and how to intervene is a matter of debate.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To analyze the safety and outcome of medical thoracoscopy in the treatment of multiloculated empyema.

METHODS

We report a retrospective series of 127 patients with thoracic empyema treated with medical thoracoscopy from 1989 to 2003 in three hospitals in Switzerland and Italy. All patients had multiloculated empyema as identified by chest ultrasonography. In the absence of multiloculation, or in case of fibrothorax, simple chest tube drainage or surgical VATS/thoracotomy were performed, respectively.

RESULTS

Mean age +/- SD was 58 +/- 18 years (range, 9 to 93 years). In 47%, a microbiological diagnosis was made. Complications occurred in 9% of patients (subcutaneous emphysema, n = 3; air leak of 3 to 7 days, n = 9). No mortality was observed. Forty-nine percent of patients received postinterventional intrapleural fibrinolysis. Medical thoracoscopy was primarily successful in 91% of cases. In four patients, the insertion of an additional chest tube or a second medical thoracoscopy was required. Finally, 94% of patients were cured by nonsurgical means. Six percent of patients required surgical pleurectomy, mostly through thoracotomy.

CONCLUSION

Multiloculated empyema as stratified by ultrasonography can safely and successfully be treated by medical thoracoscopy.

An Audit of Medical Thoracoscopy and Talc Poudrage for Pneumothorax Prevention in Advanced COPD

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively study all patients with COPD and spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) who underwent thoracoscopic talc poudrage (TP) under local anesthesia to determine its efficacy and safety in recurrence prevention.

METHODS

Data on clinical measurements, complications, duration of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, and outcome were collected.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients (38 men and 3 women) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 70.7 +/- 7.2 years were treated. All patients had COPD, with a mean FEV(1) of 41 +/- 14% predicted. The majority of SPs measured 20 to 50% in size, and 34% were recurrent. Three grams of talc were insufflated into the pleural cavity without complications. Thirteen patients (32%) complained of pain, 5 (12%) developed fever, 27 (66%) had subcutaneous emphysema, and 7 (17%) had prolonged air leaks. Postoperative chest tube drainage and hospital stay were 4 and 5 days, respectively. Success was 95% after a median follow-up of 35 months. Four patients with FEV(1) of < 40% predicted died within 30 days of the procedure, yielding a mortality rate of 10%. FEV(1) (in liters), FEV(1) (in % predicted), and ischemic heart disease were risk factors that influenced early mortality.

CONCLUSION

Thoracoscopic TP is effective for pneumothorax prevention and can be performed with acceptable mortality in patients with advanced COPD.

Thoracoscopic treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax in children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This study describes the authors experience and results with thoracoscopic treatment of spontaneous pneumotrorax (SP) in 22 children.

METHODS

A total of 32 thoracoscopic procedures were performed in 22 children. The patients ranged in age from 9 to 21 years at the time of their first thoracoscopy. SP was primary in 9 and secondary in 13 patients. Pleurodesis was performed in all thoracoscopies using talc in 28 and pleural abrasion in 4 procedures. In 2 of these, apical pleurectomy was added to abrasion. Blebectomy was the additional surgical procedure associated with pleurodesis in 4 patients.

RESULTS

Thoracoscopy usually was performed with the patient under general anesthesia. In children with severe respiratory insufficiency, regional anesthesia was used. The mean operative time was 42.6 minutes (range, 8 to 114 minutes). The mean time of postoperative chest tube drainage was 4.6 days (range, 2 to 12 days). Three patients with cystic fibrosis had prolonged air leak lasting longer than 7 days after thoracoscopy. None of them required an additional surgical intervention, and the air leak ceased in 8, 8, and 12 days with continuous suction. One patient required a repeat thoracoscopy for bleeding from an intercostal artery on postoperative day one. The mean follow-up was 4 years (range, 2.5 months to 14 years). There have been 2 partial recurrences (6.25%), both in patients with secondary SP, which were treated by a repeat thoracoscopy and talc pleurodesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic treatment of SP is safe and effective in children. It can be performed under regional anesthesia also in children with severe respiratory insufficiency. Because the complications and recurrences are encountered more frequently in children with an underlying lung disease, special care in surgical manipulation is required in this subgroup of patients with SP.

Intrapleural administration of a large amount of diluted fibrin glue for intractable pneumothorax. A clinical study based on 57 cases: including 2 unsuccessful cases

OBJECTIVE

Pleurodesis using chemical agents has been applied to high-risk patients with pneumothorax. This treatment, however, is sometimes unsuccessful in patients with intractable pneumothorax. We have developed intrapleural administration of diluted fibrin glue as an effective treatment for such patients.

METHODS

Fibrin glue was diluted 4-fold with saline and/or contrast media. Pleurodesis with a large amount of the diluted fibrin glue was performed in 55 high risk patients (57 cases, bil.2 patients) with intractable pneumothorax.

RESULTS

The air leaks were stopped by administration of the glue in all except 2 patients. During the follow-up period, a recurrence rate of 10.5% was observed. These recurrent pneumothoraces were successfully treated using the same procedure with no further recurrence. Pyrexia (12.3%) and chest discomfort (8.8%) were observed as side effects, and there was no occurrence of severe chest pain or thoracic empyema.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that intrapleural administration of a large amount of diluted fibrin glue was an effective treatment for intractable pneumothoraces in high-risk patients.

Management of pneumothorax and barotrauma: current concepts

Pneumothorax can be spontaneous, traumatic or iatrogenic. Pneumothorax ex vacuo, sports-related pneumothorax and barotrauma unrelated to mechanical ventilation are interesting and newer entities. Management consists of getting rid of the air and prevention of recurrence of pneumothorax.