Clinical observation of 14 cases of refractory pneumothorax treated by medical thoracoscopy

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of medical thoracoscopy in the treatment of refractory pneumothorax. Methods The data of 14 patients with refractory pneumothorax treated in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively analyze.The treatment included high-frequency electric knives, argon plasma coagulation, and biopsy forceps under medical thoracoscopy. Results Among the 14 patients with refractory pneumothorax, there were five cases of type Ⅱ pulmonary bullae, four cases of type Ⅲ pulmonary bullae, and six cases of diffuse pulmonary bullae.A total of 42 pulmonary bullae were found.After medical thoracoscopy therapy, there was no air leakage on chest X-ray.The effective rate was 100% in short term and long term. Conclusions The medical thoracoscopy in the treatment of refractory pneumothorax has the advantages of less trauma, less pain and faster recovery after operation, which is worthy of clinical promotion. Key words: Medical thoracoscopy; Refractory pneumothorax; Pulmonary bullae