Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of First-Time Spontaneous Pneumothorax versus Conservative Treatment

Background and aim of the work: Recent studies have shown that video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) is safe and beneficial as first time treatment for patients presenting with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). In this study we will compare the outcome of patients presenting with first time PSP treated by VATS with those treated conservatively. Material and methods: This was a prospective double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at our hospital, Forty one patients, presented to the hospital with first attack PSP from January 2010 to January 2013, were randomized to be treated by chest tube drainage (conservative group, group 1) or by primary video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS group, group 2). Outcomes were; duration of intercostal tube drainage, mean hospital stay, and recurrence rates of pneumothorax during the period of follow up. Results: There was no significant difference in both groups regarding demographic data. The mean durations of removal of intercostal tube and hospital stay were significantly higher in conservative group than in VATS group. The recurrence rate in conservative group was 40.9% versus 0% in VATS group (highly significant). Conclusions: Initial VATS is considered an efficient treatment modality for PSP as it has a shorter hospital stay and lower recurrence than conservative treatment, which if occurs, requires re-hospitalization with needs for VATS or surgery.