Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pneumothorax: 107 consecutive procedures

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), dating from the early 1990s, has revolutionized the treatment of several thoracic diseases and conditions. Pneumothorax is among those that have benefited most from the gradually increasing use of VATS, which provides a less invasive means to resolve a condition that is benign but of high prevalence among young patients. Pneumothorax has become one of the most accepted indications for VATS. The standard initial treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax is thoracic drainage. However, if the problem is not resolved (persistent pneumothorax) or there is recurrence, surgical treatment should be considered. The surgical techniques (standard thoracoORIGINAL PAPERS