Pleural abrasion via axillary thoracotomy in the era of video assisted thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND Recurrent episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax can be managed medically or surgically by various methods, video assisted thoracoscopy being the latest and most attractive. METHODS A retrospective analysis was made of 43 pleural abrasions performed in 39 patients through a 4-6 cm axillary thoracotomy incision. RESULTS There were no deaths and complications were few. At a mean follow up of 33 months there were two recurrences, neither of which required drainage. CONCLUSIONS Compared with results achieved with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, open pleural abrasion via a small thoracotomy may be the treatment of choice in most hospitals.