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European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 12, 160-161, Copyright © 1997 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery

LETTERS

Thoracoscopic pleurodesis for prolonged (or intractable) air leak after lung resection

M Suter, V Bettschart, RE Vandoni and JF Cuttat

Air leaks are common after lung resection, and normally seal with conservative therapy. Re-thoracotomy is rarely indicated. We present three patients with prolonged air leak and partial pneumothorax treated by thoracoscopy. Complete lung re-expansion followed immediately. Postoperative air leak was minimal. The chest tubes were removed after three or four days. Complete division of adhesions and sealing of the leak(s) are essential. Thoracoscopy may be the method of choice for prolonged air leak unresponding to conservative therapy provided the bronchial stump or suture have been verified by endoscopy.