Surgical results of video-assisted thoracic surgery and risk factors for prolonged hospitalization for secondary pneumothorax in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND The treatment of secondary pneumothorax in elderly patients is difficult because of underlying diffuse lung injury and complex medical comorbidities. Such patients still have high morbidity rates, resulting in longer periods of hospitalization. METHODS To examine the results of video-assisted thoracic surgery for elderly patients (aged 70 years or over) with secondary pneumothorax and investigate the risk factors for hospital stay longer than 7 days, we retrospectively analyzed the results obtained in such patients at our institution. RESULTS From among 73 patients who entered this study, 7 patients (9.6%) had postoperative complications. Video-assisted thoracic surgery could treat pneumothorax in 71 patients, except for the 2 who died in hospital. The median postoperative drainage and hospital stay periods were 2 days (1-40 days) and 5 days (2-51 days). Patients with interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary infection and low total protein or sodium levels were the risk factors for hospital stay longer than 7 days. CONCLUSIONS VATS is a safe and effective procedure for secondary pneumothorax in elderly patients. Patients with interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary infection, and hyponutrition state were the risk factors for postoperative hospital stay prolongation.