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A modified two-port thoracoscopic technique versus axillary minithoracotomy for the treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax: a prospective randomized study

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An Erratum to this article was published on 11 January 2012

Abstract

Background

Currently, most thoracic surgeons perform surgical pleurodesis for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax (RSP) by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). However, the superiority of VATS over axillary minithoracotomy is not been established in prospective studies to date. A modified two-port VATS technique and axillary minithoracotomy were prospectively evaluated for possible differences in the short- and long-term outcome for patients.

Methods

In this study, 66 consecutive patients underwent surgical pleurodesis for RSP through either a modified two-port VATS procedure (group A, 33 patients) or axillary minithoracotomy (group B, 33 patients). According to the study design (NCT01192217), the patients were randomly assigned to the two groups, which were similar in terms of age and body mass index. One-lung ventilation time, histology of the available lung parenchyma specimens, early postoperative complications, length of chest tube drainage and hospital stay, recurrence rate, and a score for patient satisfaction with treatment based on the sum of postoperative pain, dependent-arm mobilization, and return to full activity subscores were evaluated. The follow-up period varied from 3 to 53 months (median, 30 months).

Results

The one-lung ventilation and operating times were significantly longer (p < 0.001) in group A than in group B. The overall detection of blebs, bulla, or both was 51.5% in group A and 63.8% in group B. The recurrence rate, complication rate, postoperative chest tube drainage duration, postoperative hospital stay, and incidence of chronic pain did not differ between the two groups. The score for patient satisfaction with treatment was significantly higher in group A than in group B (p < 0.001) according the subscores for better dependent-arm mobilization and return to full activity.

Conclusions

Axillary minithoracotomy and VATS are equally effective for the treatment of RSP, although the rate for resection of blebs, bulla, or both is higher with the axillary minithoracotomy procedure. Although VATS is more time consuming, it offers to the patient more satisfaction with treatment.

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Disclosures

Christophros N. Foroulis, Kyriakos Anastasiadis, Nicholas Charokopos, Polychronis Antonitsis, Homerus V. Halvatzoulis, George T. Karapanagiotidis, Vassilis Grossomanidis, and Christos Papakonstantinou have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Aristotle University Medical School, AHEPA University Hospital, Stilponos Kiriakidi Street, 54636, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Christophoros N. Foroulis, Kyriakos Anastasiadis, Nicholas Charokopos, Polychronis Antonitisis, Homerus V. Halvatzoulis, George T. Karapanagiotidis & Christos Papakonstantinou

  2. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Aristotle University Medical School, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Vassilis Grosomanidis

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  1. Christophoros N. Foroulis
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  2. Kyriakos Anastasiadis
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  8. Christos Papakonstantinou
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Correspondence to Christophoros N. Foroulis.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-2145-8.

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Foroulis, C.N., Anastasiadis, K., Charokopos, N. et al. A modified two-port thoracoscopic technique versus axillary minithoracotomy for the treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax: a prospective randomized study. Surg Endosc 26, 607–614 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1734-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1734-x

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