Novel method for bulla detection with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2008 Jul;34(1):212-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcts.2008.03.066. Epub 2008 May 7.

Abstract

Detection of bullae is usually performed during lung inflation with an inspiratory hold in collaboration with anesthetists (conventional method). One cause leading to recurrent pneumothorax is failure to detect the position and extent of bullae under the conventional method. We herein present a novel method for detecting bullae under negative intrathoracic pressure, enabling exploration in the narrow cupola space without lung inflation.

Publication types

  • Technical Report

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Pneumothorax / complications
  • Pneumothorax / surgery*
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / complications
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / diagnosis*
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / methods*