Therapeutic pneumoperitoneum in patients with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax surgical treated

Abstract

Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of gas in intrapleural space with lung collapse and an altered respiratory dynamic. It can be primary (or spontaneous), more frequently, secondary, and traumatic. Spontaneous pneumothorax is more common in men than in women (roughly three to six times higher). It is not caused by an underlying lung disease, but it is often associated with pleuro-pulmonary abnormalities (mostly subpleural apical blebs) that likely predispose to pneumothorax. We report the case of a 27-year-old man that referred to our Emergency Department with a diagnosis of recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax and indication for surgery. A thoracic drainage has been placed yet and the patient was hemodynamically stable. Despite of surgery, pneumothorax seemed not to solve. In collaboration with general surgeons, it was agreed to cause a controlled pneumoperitoneum to facilitate the pleuro-pulmonary attachment. Our case report aimed to show the effectiveness of a delayed-induced pneumoperitoneum in a single-center experience of spontaneous pneumothorax surgery-resistant.