Surgical management of spontaneous pneumothorax by bleb ligation and pleural dry sponge abrasion

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> Experimental and clinical experience with dry sponge pleural abrasion for pleural space obliteration has led to the conclusion that this method is effective, less traumatic than pleurectomy, and is more reliable with less chance of adverse host reaction than chemical irritants. Bleb ligation, decompression, and excision is believed to be a simplified method for the surgical management of emphysematous blebs. The combination of bleb ligation and excision and dry sponge pleural abrasion is advocated as a method of choice in the surgical management of noninfectious spontaneous recurrent or persistent pneumothorax.