Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with bullectomy and partial pleurectomy (VBPP) is an increasingly used and well-established surgical treatment for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). However, reports on its effectiveness and long-term outcomes are limited. The aim of this study was to assess and compare long-term recurrence rates following VBPP and chest tube (CT) treatment and to identify potential risk factors for disease recurrence in patients with PSP. Methods: A total of 116 patients treated either by VBPP or CT were included in this study. Long-term recurrence rates and associations between clinical parameters and recurrence of pneumothorax were analyzed. Results: Sixty-two patients (53.4%) underwent VBPP, whereas 54 (46.6%) patients underwent CT treatment only. During a median follow-up period of 76.5 months, VBPP patients experienced a significantly lower recurrence rate compared to CT patients (6/62 vs. 35/54; p < 0.0001). CT treatment (VBPP vs. CT; p < 0.001) and a large initial pneumothorax size (Collins < 4 vs. Collins ≥ 4; p = 0.018) were independent risk factors for pneumothorax recurrence. Conclusion: VBPP is an effective and safe surgical treatment for PSP. Therefore, patients with a large pneumothorax size might benefit from VBPP, as they are at high risk for disease recurrence.

Background and objective: Current guidelines recommend chest tube (CT) drainage as the initial treatment of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). Surgery should be considered in cases of persistent air leak or recurrent disease. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is nowadays an established surgical treatment for complicated spontaneous pneumothorax. However, reports on VATS-bullectomy with partial pleurectomy (VBPP) for treatment of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) are limited. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of patients with secondary pneumothorax treated either by VBPP or CT drainage in our institution. Secondly, we assessed underlying clinical parameters to identify potential risk factors for SSP recurrence. Materials and Methods: Eighty-two patients were included in this study. Long-term recurrence rates and potential risk factors for SSP recurrence were analyzed. Results: Thirty-six patients (43.9%) underwent VBPP, whereas 46 (56.1%) patients subsequently underwent CT treatment. During a median follow-up period of 76.5 months, VBPP patients experienced a significantly low recurrence rate compared to CT patients (VBPP vs. CT: 16.7% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.016). However, VBPP was associated with a higher complication rate and significantly longer length of hospital stay (LOS). Male sex (male vs. female: p = 0.021) and CT treatment (VBPP vs. CT: p < 0.001) were identified as potential risk factors for SSP recurrence. Conclusions: VBPP is a suitable surgical treatment for SSP. However, prolonged LOS and possible complications should be discussed prior to VBPP.

Background: Two-port (2P) and three-port (3P) video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) are well-established surgical methods for the treatment of complicated spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). However, a comparison between both techniques, in terms of clinical outcomes in patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), is unreported. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare postoperative pain, as well as clinical outcome, following 2P and 3P VATS for SSP in our institution. Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2020, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 115 SSP patients treated by VATS in our institution. Fifty-two patients underwent 2P-VATS, while 63 patients were treated by 3P-VATS. The total dose of analgesic use per stay (opioid and non-opioid), length of hospital stay (LOS), operation time, total area of pleurectomy, recurrence rates and postoperative complications were compared between both groups. Results: The 3P-VATS group had a significantly higher total dose of analgesic use compared with the 2P-VATS patients. The LOS and mean operation time were significantly shorter in the 2P-VATS group. A larger area of pleurectomy was resected using 3P-VATS compared to 2P-VATS. The postoperative complications and recurrence of SSP during a median follow-up period of 76.5 months were similar in both groups. Conclusion: 2P-VATS is a safe surgical technique. It is associated with a short LOS and less postoperative pain, and, thus, low analgesic use.