A Single-Stage Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Procedure for Simultaneous Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Supine Position

Abstract

We report on the case of a 23-year-old man with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP), treated with bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a supine position. SBSP is a very rare condition that can be life-threatening when therapeutic techniques fail. We performed a unique operative procedure for SBSP using one-stage bilateral VATS in a supine position. This procedure is less invasive, more effective, and safer for the treatment of SBSP. Abbreviations: SBSP = Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax; VATS = video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; CT = computed tomography

Key words

Bilateral - video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) - pneumothorax - supine position

References

• 1 Graf-Deuel E, Knoblauch A. Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax.  Chest. 1994;  105 1142-1146
• 2 Brandstetter R D. Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Its bite is worse than its bark.  Chest. 1994;  106 4-5
• 3 Koshino T, Inoue N, Abe T. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax coexistent with diaphragmatic disorder.  Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1998;  4 280-282
• 4 Meng R L, Jensik R J, Kittle F, Faber L P. Median sternotomy for synchronous bilateral pulmonary operations.  J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1980;  80 1-7
• 5 Lang-Lazdunski L, de Kerangal X, Pons F, Jancovici R. Primary spontaneous pneumothorax: one-stage treatment by bilateral videothoracoscopy.  Ann Thorac Surg. 2000;  70 412-417
• 6 Bingisser R, Zollinger A, Hauser M, Bloch K E, Russi E W, Weder W. Bilateral volume reduction surgery for diffuse pulmonary emphysema by video-assisted thoracoscopy.  J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1996;  112 875-882

Correspondence