Efficacy of an absorbable polyglycolic acid patch in surgery for pneumothorax due to silicosis

BACKGROUND We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an absorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) patch in surgery for refractory pneumothorax due to silicosis. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed of 56 patients who received thoracotomy or thoracoscopic surgery for refractory pneumothorax due to silicosis between 1995 and 2010. An absorbable PGA patch was used as a reinforcement or repair material after resection of the bulla in 24 operations and it was not used in another 32 operations. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups (with a PGA and without a PGA). RESULTS We found that the duration of postoperative chest drainage (5.04±1.12 days vs. 8.19±1.60 days, p<0.01) and hospital stay after the operation (8.33±1.34 days vs. 11.56±1.50 days, p<0.01) were significantly shorter in patients who used an absorbable PGA patch in the operation compared with those who did not use a PGA patch. The incidence of initial air leakage (58.3% [14/24] vs. 93.8% [30/32], p<0.05) and relapse rate of pneumothorax in 6 months (4% [1/24] vs. 25% [8/32], p<0.05) were also significantly lower in patients who used an absorbable PGA patch in the operation compared with those who did not use a PGA patch. No related adverse effects of the absorbable PGA patch occurred after the operations. CONCLUSIONS Use of an absorbable PGA patch as a reinforcement or repair material in surgery for refractory pneumothorax due to silicosis can reduce postoperative air leakage and improve clinical outcome.