Thoracoscopic treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with the ENDO-GIA-Stapler.

Spontaneous pneumothorax carries a high risk of recurrence after treatment by intercostal drainage only. In such cases and in patients with persistent air leaks under adequate drainage we avoided correction by open thoracotomy using thoracoscopic techniques. On five patients we performed six resections of lung areas bearing blebs or bullae. An ENDO-GIA-Stapler was used for transection and closure of the lung tissue. In one patient a partial apical pleurectomy was added and in four patients an additional pleurodesis with silver nitrate was performed. An immediate air-tight suture was achieved in every case. There were no complications associated with this method. The postoperative pain and the length of hospital stay were markedly reduced compared to open thoracotomy procedures. During the follow-up period (3-7 months) no recurrence was noticed.