Role of Surgical Glue in Persistent Air Leak in Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Abstract

Article informationBackground: Surgical glue [synthetic cyanoacrylic glue] is a sealant material used in treatment of persistent air leak in primary, secondary and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax after repair of bronco pleural fistula by synthetic sutures as polypropylene or polydioxanone materials. The aim of the work: We aimed to evaluate the effect of surgical glue in treatment of cases of persistent air leak after surgical repair in comparison to surgical repair only. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 21 patients who underwent surgery for persistent air leak at our department in Al Zahra and Dar Elhekma hospital from May 2015 to December 2018 where age ranges from 32 to 55 and they were 4 females and 17 males, surgical glue used in a group of patients [group A] and another patients as a comparison group without using the glue [group B].11 patients were treated by excision of blebs or bullae with closure of feeding bronchus by synthetic sutures with application of surgical glue and 10 patients were treated by excision only without application of glue. Results: Thoracotomy done in all patients via posterolateral thoracotomy. Operative time, chest tube removal, and hospital stay were significant in group A versus group B. Superficial wound infection in one case in group A without mortality in both groups, one case of persistent air leak and 4 cases of recurrent pneumothorax within two years of follow up in group B. Conclusion: Use of surgical glue [sealant] applied in reducing air leak associated with spontaneous pneumothorax and in recurrent pneumothorax was safe and effective.