HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ayed, A. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ayed, A. K.

Ann Thorac Surg 2003;75:1593-1596
© 2003 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Original article: general thoracic

Suction versus water seal after thoracoscopy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: prospective randomized study

^a Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University and Chest Diseases Hospital, Safat, Kuwait

Accepted for publication November 21, 2002.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr Ayed, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait
e-mail: adel{at}hsc.kuniv.edu.kw

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study were to review our experience of video-assisted thoracoscopic apical pleurectomy and to evaluate whether suction or water seal is superior in the postoperative treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing thoracoscopy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax from January 1995 to December 1999 were prospectively randomly assigned after surgery to receive suction or water seal to their chest tubes after a brief period of suction.

RESULTS: There were 50 patients in each group. The two groups were evenly matched for age and operation performed. The method of management was stapling of an identified bleb or apex of the upper lobe and apical pleurectomy. Postoperative prolonged air leak longer than 5 days occurred in 8 patients (8%), 7 in the suction group and 1 in the water seal group (p = 0.03). The mean duration of chest tube days was lower in the water seal group (2.7 days) than in the suction group (3.8 days; p = 0.004). The mean hospital stay in the water seal group was 3.7 days and in the suction group it was 4.8 days (p = 0.004). Mean follow-up was 48 months (range, 30 to 60) for all patients. Pneumothorax recurred in 2 patients (2%). The recurrences occurred in the first year.

CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic apical pleurectomy is effective and safe for treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Placing chest tubes on water seal after a brief period of suction shortens the duration of chest tube placement and hence the hospital stay.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Cardillo, F. Carleo, L. Carbone, M. Di Martino, L. Salvadori, A. Ricci, L. Petrella, and M. Martelli Long-term lung function following videothoracoscopic talc poudrage for primary spontaneous recurrent pneumothorax Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., May 1, 2007; 31(5): 802 - 805. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Sanni, A. Critchley, and J. Dunning Should chest drains be put on suction or not following pulmonary lobectomy? Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, June 1, 2006; 5(3): 275 - 278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Cardillo, F. Carleo, R. Giunti, L. Carbone, S. Mariotta, L. Salvadori, L. Petrella, and M. Martelli Videothoracoscopic talc poudrage in primary spontaneous pneumothorax: A single-institution experience in 861 cases J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., February 1, 2006; 131(2): 322 - 328. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Brunelli, A. Sabbatini, F. Xiume', M. A. Refai, M. Salati, and R. Marasco Alternate Suction Reduces Prolonged Air Leak After Pulmonary Lobectomy: A Randomized Comparison Versus Water Seal Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2005; 80(3): 1052 - 1055. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Alphonso, C. Tan, M. Utley, R. Cameron, J. Dussek, L. Lang-Lazdunski, and T. Treasure A prospective randomized controlled trial of suction versus non-suction to the under-water seal drains following lung resection Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., March 1, 2005; 27(3): 391 - 394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Brunelli, M. Monteverde, A. Borri, M. Salati, R. D. Marasco, M. Al Refai, and A. Fianchini Comparison of water seal and suction after pulmonary lobectomy: a prospective, randomized trial Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2004; 77(6): 1932 - 1937. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]