Is prophylactic treatment of contralateral blebs in patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax indicated?

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2010 May;139(5):1241-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2009.07.047. Epub 2009 Sep 17.

Abstract

Objectives: More than 50% of patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax have contralateral blebs/bullae, and about a quarter will develop a contralateral pneumothorax. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the need for elective treatment of asymptomatic contralateral blebs/bullae in patients presenting with primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Methods: From May 2006 through June 2008, results from 35 patients with ipsilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax without contralateral blebs receiving unilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery, 35 patients with ipsilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax with contralateral blebs receiving unilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery, and 16 patients with ipsilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax receiving bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery for positive contralateral blebs were collected. Their demographic and operating data were also recorded.

Results: There was no significant difference in age, gender, smoking percentage, body mass index (kg/m(2)), blood loss, and postoperative pain among groups. There was longer operative time and length of stay in group receiving bilateral surgery. Within the follow-up period of 16.68 +/- 9.91 months (median, 17.50), no recurrence on either lung was found in the group operated on both sides, while contralateral occurrence was found in 17.14% of the group with ipsilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax with contralateral blebs receiving unilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery within the period of 18.15 +/- 8.07 months (median, 21).

Conclusion: The study showed that the preemptive video-assisted thoracic surgery for the contralateral blebs/bullae effectively prevented the contralateral occurrence.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Blister / diagnostic imaging
  • Blister / surgery*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases / surgery*
  • Male
  • Pneumothorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumothorax / surgery*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reoperation
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult