Polyglycolic acid mesh for preventing post-thoracoscopic bullectomy recurrence

Purpose Thoracoscopic bullectomy is a common treatment modality for spontaneous pneumothorax but can result in a high frequency of postoperative recurrent pneumothorax in young patients. This retrospective study compared the recurrence rate of pneumothorax following conventional thoracoscopic bullectomy to that following bullectomy using a low-density polyglycolic acid mesh to cover the staple line. Methods Group A comprised 237 patients who experienced 294 episodes of pneumothorax and underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy alone, and Group B comprised 130 patients who experienced 155 episodes of pneumothorax and underwent bullectomy with polyglycolic acid mesh used to cover the visceral pleura. To compare the postoperative inflammatory response between the two groups, we measured three inflammatory parameters: highest body temperature after surgery, C-reactive protein level on postoperative day 3, and change in eosinophil count from the day before the surgery to postoperative day 3. Results The recurrence rate was significantly lower in Group B than in Group A (2.6% vs. 24.8%, P < 0.000001). All three inflammatory parameters were significantly higher in Group B than in Group A. Conclusions Using a polyglycolic acid mesh covering after thoracoscopic bullectomy resulted in acceptable long-term results (recurrence rate: 2.6%). This method was associated with a slightly elevated inflammatory response.