Efficacy and safety of surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax in elderly patients

The effect of polyglycolic acid sheet in preventing postoperative recurrent pneumothorax: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax occasionally relapses, even after bullectomy; therefore, coverage of the bullectomy staple line for pleural reinforcement is common in Japan. However, the appropriate covering materials have not yet been determined.

METHODS

This was a longitudinal prospective cohort study. Data were available for patients aged < 40 years with primary spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent their first thoracoscopic bullectomy between July 2015 and June 2021. We used oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) sheets from July 2015 to June 2018, and polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets from July 2018 to June 2021. The postoperative recurrence-free survival rate was evaluated. The characteristics of the recurrent cases (radiographic, intraoperative, and pathological findings) were also evaluated. The extent of pleural adhesions was classified into the following three groups: none, medium, or extensive.

RESULTS

A total of 187 patients were included in the study. There were 92 and 95 participants in the ORC and PGA sheet groups, respectively. The postoperative recurrence-free survival rates were significantly higher in the PGA sheet group than in the ORC sheet group (ORC group vs. PGA group, 82.9% vs. 95.4%, p = 0.031). In recurrent cases, there was a significant difference in terms of pleural adhesion (0.0% [12 of 12, none] vs. 100.0% [four of four, extensive], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with ORC sheets, PGA sheets are an effective material for preventing early recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Strong local pleural adhesions potentially contribute to decreasing recurrence.

Clinicopathological significance of staple line coverage with an oxidized regenerated cellulose sheet after bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax

BACKGROUND

Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) sheet, in surgery of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, is used to reinforce the visceral pleura around the staple line coverage aiming to prevent a postoperative recurrence. We evaluated the effect of ORC on recurrence within 2 years after surgery.

METHODS

A total of 201 patients aged < 40 years who underwent bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. They were classified into an ORC sheet coverage group (ORC group, n = 100) and a non-coverage group (n-ORC group, n = 101). Two-year recurrence-free survival rates are assessed between the two groups with associated analysis of radiographical and operative findings.

RESULTS

ORC had no effect on the recurrence rate. CT images and re-operative findings showed regenerated bullae in 19 and 14 patients, close to staple lines in 14 and 11 patients, respectively. White pleural thickening within the covered area was observed in all patients of the ORC group. Pathological findings also showed pleural thickening in eight patients and bulla regeneration under pleural thickening in six patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Coverage with an ORC sheet after bullectomy did not prevent the regeneration of bullae and postoperative recurrence, regardless of exerting a reinforcement effect on the visceral pleura histologically.