• Proceedings of the KTCVS Conference
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.137-137
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• 1995

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.344-349
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• 2009

Background: The clinical history and physical findings of the patients with spontaneous pneumothorax depend largely on the extent of the collapse of the lung and the presence of pre-existing pulmonary disease. Large primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a possible serious condition and. so more active treatment will be necessary for these patients. The therapeutic guideline for large pneumothorax remains controversial. Therefore, by assessing the clinical results of surgical treatment for large primary pneumothorax, we aim to determine the indicators of treatment. Material and Method: Among 348 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax and who underwent surgical treatment from August 2004 through December 2007, 58 patients who responded to treatment for a large primary pneumothorax were included in the current study. We then retrospectively evaluated the operative findings and the surgical results. The patients with a pneumothorax of 80% or more, including those patients with tension pneumothorax, were considered to have a "large pneumothorax". Most of these patients Should be treated with a 12F chest tube. Thoracoscopic wedge resection was considered for treating recurrent pneumothorax, continuous air leakage, controlateral pneumothorax and first episode pneumothorax with visible blebs (> 1cm) seen on the computed tomography. Result: There were 50 men and 8 women with a mean age of 28.2 years (range: $14\sim54$ years). The mean length of hospitalization was 5.3 days (range: $2\sim10$ days). Nine patients underwent chest tube drainage only. Forty-nine patients underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection. The mean follow up time was 27.8 months (range: $10\sim58$ months). The actual site of air leakage could be located in 35 patients (71.4%) and this was correlated with pleural adhesion (p=0.005). The initial air leakage tended to be more correlated with intra-operative air leakage, although this was not statistically significant (p=0.066). The recurrence rate was 11.1 % for the patients with chest tube drainage and 2.0% for the patients with thoracoscopic wedge resection. Conclusion: Large primary pneumothorax requires an early diagnosis and early treatment. Thoracoscopic wedge resection may help to prevent recurrence of large primary pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.556-560
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• 1999

Background: The cause of spontaneous pneumothorax is not yet but it is certain that intrathoracic air comes from ruptured bulla. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) or open thoracotomy is recommended for thoracic incision in recurrent pneumothorax. However, recurrent rate after bullectomy with the VATS is very high compared to mini-thoracotomy, 3% to 20% and below 2%, respectively. Material and Method: This retrospective analysis was performed on 16 re-operated cases among 446 surgically treated pneumothorax of the 737 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax diagnosed at Yongdong Severance Hospital from Nov. 1992 to June 1997. Result: Among the 446 surgically-treated patients in 737 case of spontaneous pneumothorax, 16 patients underwent re-operation, showing a 3.5% re-operation rate. Male-to-female ratio was 15 to 1 and mean age at initial attack was 20.2 years(ranging from 15 to 50). Mean hospital stay was 6.34 days(ranging from 2 to 20 days) and mean chest tube indwelling period was 4.2 days(ranging from 1-10 days). Median follow-up was 46 months(range 10-66 months). Three different surgical methods were applied : video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VAST) in 281 cases, of whom 2 underwent local anesthesia; subaxillary mini-thoracotomy in 159 cases and limited lateral thoracotomy in the remaining 6 cases. Three different re-operative surgical methods were applied ; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VAST) in 6 cases, subaxillary mini-thoracotomy in 9 cases, and limited lateral thoracotomy in the remaining 1 case. The underlying etiological factors of the recurrent pneumothorax after bullectomy were o erlooking type(9) and new growing type(7). Mean recurrent period from previous operation was 1 month for overlooking type and 18 months for new growing type. Conclusion: The underlying etiological factors of recurrent pneumothorax lead to re-operation were new-growing and over-looking type. We need additional treatments besides resecting blebs of prevent the recurrence rate and more gentle handling with forceps due to less damage to the pleura.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.512-516
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• 1997

We have experienced 66 cases of video assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) of spontaneous pneumothorax. The patients ranged in age from 1 Syears to 46years(mean age, 22.3years) and male patients were sixty three. The indications of video assisted thoracic surgery of spontaneous pneumothorax were recurrence, continuous air leakage, visible blabs on the chest X-ray & others. Infraoperative findings were as follows; blabs, pleural adhesion and pleural effusion. The operation was performed under general anesthesia wit double lumen endobronchial tube. Operative procedures included blebectomy and/or wedge resection of lung, vibramycin Pleurodesis with mechanical abrasion. In most cases, postoperative courses were uneventful and patients were discharged without significant complications. VATS provided the benefits of lesser postoperative pain, rapid recovery, short hospitalization, and smaller scar of wound. Conclusively VATS is a new interesting modality of surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax and also can be extensively applicable in the diagnosis and treatment of other intrathoracic disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1094-1104
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• 1997

Background : Spontaneous pneumothoraces(SP) are divided into primary spontaneous pneumothoraces (PSP) which develop in healthy individuals without underlying pulmonary disorders and secondary spontaneous pneumothoraces(SSP) which occur in those who have underlying disorders such as tuberculosis or chronic obstructive lung diseases. Yet there is no established standard therapeutic approach to this disorder, i.e., from the spectrum of noninvasive treatment such as clinical observation with or without oxygen therapy, to aggressively invasive thoracoscopic bullectomy or open thoracotomy. Although chest tube thoracostomy has been most widely used, the patients should overcome pain in the initiation of tube insertion or during indwelling it potential infection and subcutaneous emphysema. Thus smaller-caliber tube has been challenged for the treatment of pneumothorax. Previously, we studied the therapeutic efficacy of 8 French catheter for spontaneous pneumothorax. But there has been few data for effectiveness of small-caliber catheterization in comparison with that of chest tube. In this study, we intended to observe the long-term effectiveness of 8 French catheter for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothoraces in comparison with that of chest tube thoracostomy. Method : From January, 1990 to January, 1996, sixty two patients with spontaneous pneumothoraces treated at Chung-Ang University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were sub-divided into a group treated with 8 French catheter(n=23) and the other one with chest tube insertion(n=39). The clinical data were reviewed(age, sex, underlying pulmonary disorders, past history of pneumothorax, size of pneumothorax, follow-up period). And therapeutic effect of two groups was compared by treatment duration(duration of indwelling catheter or tube), treatment-associated complications and recurrence rate. Results : The follow-up period(median) of 8 French catheter group and chest tube group was 28 and 22 months, which had no statistical significance. Ther was no statistically significant difference of clinical characteristics between two groups with SP, PSP, SSP. The indwelling time of 8 French catheter group was $6.2{\pm}3.8$ days, which was significantly shorter than that of chest tube group in SP, $9.1{\pm}7.5$ days(p=0.047). In comparison of treatment-related complication in PSP, 8 French catheter group as 6.25% of complication showed lower tendency than the other group as 23.8% (p=0.041 ; one-tailed, p=0.053; two-tailed). The recurrence rate in each group of SP was 17.4%, 10.3%, which did not show any statistically significant difference. Conclusion : Treatment with 8 French catheter resulted in shorter indwelling time in sponteous pneumothorax, and lower incidence of treatment-related complication in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. And the recurrence rate in each of treatment group showed no statistically significant difference. So, we can recommend the 8 French small-caliber catheter for the initial therapy for spontaneous pneumothorax for the replacement of conventional chest tube thoracostomy. But further prospective study with more subjects of spontaneous pneumothorax will be needed for the evaluation of effectiveness of 8 French cateter.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.9 s.254
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• pp.627-632
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• 2005

Background: The video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) with 2 mm thoracoscopy in primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) was known to be unreliable in its accuracy and recurrence rate. We compared 10 mm VATS with 2 mm VATS in the results of operation. Material and Method: From Sept. 1998 to Dec. 2002, 176 cases (10 mm VATS; 73 cases, 2 mm VATS; 103 cases) of PSP were treated by VATS blob resection at Korea University Ansan Hospital. 10 mm thoracoscope, 5 mm port, and 5 mm instruments were used in 10 mm VATS group, and 2 mm thoracoscope, 2 mm ports and 2 mm instruments used in 2 mn VATS group. In the two groups, staples were inserted through 11.5 mm port for chest tube. Result: The mean follow-up duration was 20,8$\pm$16.1 months in 10 mm VATS group, and 13.9 $\pm$8.2 months in 2 mm VATS. The most common indication of operation was a recurrent pneumothorax ($34\%$) in 10 mm VATS and patient's desire ($40\%$) in 2 mm VATS, respectively. The operation time, number of staples used in operation, postoperative chest tube keeping days, postoperative total amount of drainage, and postoperative hospitalization days were statistically lower in 2 mm VATS. Other significant variables affecting the operation time in linear regression analysis were the number of staples that used in operation, the presence of pleural adhesion, and type of pleurodesis and thoracoscope used in operation. However, $R^2$ values were lower than 0.1. The postoperative recurrence rate was $2.7\%$ in 10 mm VATS and $2.9\%$ in 2 mm VATS. It was not significant statistically. Recurrent cases developed within 1 year in both groups but the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Although there were differences in follow-up duration between two groups, the operation time, number of staples that used in operation, postoperative chest tube keeping days, postoperative total amount of drainage, and postoperative hospitalization days were statistically lower in 2 mm VATS. And in 2 mm VATS, there were no technical difficulties during operation and no differences in recurrence rate from 10 mm VATS. As a result, we suggest that 2 mm VATS can be used in the treatment of PSP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.189-193
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• 1999

Mesenchymal cystic hamartoma of the lung is quite rare lesion which has an unknown prevalence, firstly described in 1986. It is characterized by multiple nodules and variable sized cysts in both lung field. The nodules of immature mesenchymal cells gradually enlarge and become cysts which are lined with normal or metaplastic respiratory epithelium and have the cambium layer of primitive mesenchymal cells. Main symptoms are hemoptysis, recurrent pneumothorax, and hemothorax. It is known to benign tumor, but has possibility of malignant degeneration. In gross findings in opertive field, multiple and variable-sized cystic lesions and nodules were observed. The cysts were lined with normal respiratory epithelium and had the cambium layer of primitive mesenchymal cell. Gross and microscopic findings were compatible with mesenchymal cystic hamartoma. We report a case of mesenchymal cystic hamartoma in a 27-year-old woman who had recurrent pneumothorax and hemoptysis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.438-443
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• 2004

Background : The treatment strategy for urinary spontaneous pneumothorax has progressively changed with the introduction of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Recently, we modified the strategy of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. If the patient had mild dyspnea and the lung was minimally collapsed, 2 mm thoracoscopic examination was performed. If no blob or bullae was inspected, the intrathoracic air was evacuated through the 2 mm thoracoscopic troca without closed thoracostomy, and if the blob and bullae was noted, the 10 mm thoracoscopic bullecotomy was carried out immediately and also application of fibrin glue was substituted for pleural abrasion. We compared the clinical outcomes of modified treatment strategy with conventional strategy in primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Patients were divided into four groups. Group I (n=21) underwent 2 mm thoracoscopic examination. Group II (n=68) underwent closed thoracostomy. Group III (n=56) underwent VATS and application of fibrin glue. Group IV (n=87) underwent VATS and pleural abrasion. The duration of chest tube drainage, the duration of hospitalization and the recurrence rate were compared between group I and group II and between group III and group IV. Result: Mean age, sex, location of pneumothorax were not different in all groups. In group I, the blob or bullae were existed in 12 patients, In remaining 9 patients, the bleb or bullae was not inspected. The mean duration of hospitalization in 9 patients were 2.4 $\pm$1.0 day and in group II were 3.9$\pm$2.1 day (p=0.014). There was 1 case of recurrence among the 9 patients in group I and 26 recurrences in group II (p=0.149). The mean duration of chest tube drainage were not difference in group III and IV (group III: 2.8$\pm$1.8 day, group IV: 3.0$\pm$2.5 day). The mean duration of hospitalization was shorter in group III than group IV (group III: 5,6$\pm$2.7 day, group IV: 1.3$\pm$3.3 day)(p=0.002). There was no recurrence in group III and 7 recurrences in group IV (p=0.043). Conclusion: Our modified treatment strategy of primary spontaneous peumothorax was effective in short hospital course and low recurrence rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.6 s.263
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• pp.475-478
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• 2006

Background: The simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax is a rare clinical event. Contrary to the unilateral pneumothorax, the patients with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax sometimes complains of severe respiratory distress, cyanosis and chest pain without tention pneumothorax. It is often dangerous; therefore, the chest drain should be inserted immediately. Material and Method: Between March 1994 and February 2004, 802 patients were treated in our department for spontaneous pneumothorax. Among these, the simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax developed in 14 patients (1.7%). Result: Out of fourteen patients, two females and twelve males presented with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. The patient age ranged between 0 and 79 years with mean age of 31.2 years. In eleven patients, this was the first episode of pneumothorax. One patient had combined hemopneumothorax and two patients had combined pyopneurnothorax. Six patients had smoking history (42.8%, average 17.3 p-y). Five patients had pulmonary tuberculosis history and among these, two patients had active pulmonary tuberculosis. Three patients were died due to meconium-aspiration pneumonia (1 patient) and ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) with pneumonia (2 patients). We treated these patients with nasal oxygen inhalation, chest drain insertion, thoracotomy, VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) and chemical pleurodesis. Conclusion: The simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax developed in 14 patients (1.7%) among 802 patients. Prompt insertion of chest drain is needed for a relief of severe symptoms, and to reduce the risk of recurrence, early thoracotomy or VATS should be performed rather than chest drain insertion only.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.535-538
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• 2003

Spontaneous pneumothorax accompanying primary lung cancer is rare and its occurrence as an initial sign of primary lung cancer is much rarer. A few articles on spontaneous pneumothorax accompanying lung cancer have been published in Korea so far. Lung cancers, diagnosed after spontaneous pneumothorax, are usually in advanced stage, so that conservative treatment modalities such as closed tube thoracostomy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy are the mainstream of the treatment. We experienced a case of local recurrence of primary lung cancer in six months after radical resection and radiotherapy of neoplasm performed immediately after the diagnosis by excisional biopsy of bulla, for which resection and pleurodesis had been done under the impression of spontaneous pneumothorax. In this paper, we report the case and follow-up observation of the patient.