Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) subtotal parietal pleurectomy for refractory tuberculous pneumothorax: Five case-reports

This study explored the safety and feasibility of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) paretal pleurectomy in patients suffering from complex tuberculous pneumothorax. These cases were reported and summarized to present the experience of the authors with this procedure. METHODS: The clinical data of a total of 5 patients with refractory tuberculous pneumothorax having undergone subtotal parietal pleurectomy by uniportal VATS in our institution were hereby collected from November 2021 to February 2022, and regular follow-up was conducted after surgery. RESULTS: Parietal pleurectomy via VATS was successfully performed in all these 5 patients, among which, 4 received bullectomy at the same time, with no conversion to open surgery. Among the 4 cases of full lung expansion who were suffering from recurrent tuberculous pneumothorax, the preoperative chest drain duration ranged from 6 days to 12 days; the operation time, from 120 minutes to 165 minutes; intraoperative blood loss, from 100 mL to 200 mL; the drainage volume, from 570 mL to 2000 mL 72 hours after operation; and chest tube duration, from 5 days to 10 days. One rifampicin-resistant case had satisfactory postoperative lung expansion, but left a cavity, the operation time of which was 225 minutes; intraoperative blood loss, 300 mL; the drainage volume, 1820 mL 72 hours after operation; and chest tube duration, 40 days. The follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 9 months, and no recurrence was noted. CONCLUSION: Parietal pleurectomy with preservation of the top pleura via VATS is a safe and satisfactorily effective procedure for patients with refractory tuberculous pneumothorax.