A Single-Stage Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Procedure for Simultaneous Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Supine Position

Abstract

We report on the case of a 23-year-old man with simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP), treated with bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a supine position. SBSP is a very rare condition that can be life-threatening when therapeutic techniques fail. We performed a unique operative procedure for SBSP using one-stage bilateral VATS in a supine position. This procedure is less invasive, more effective, and safer for the treatment of SBSP.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for superior posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumour in the supine position

“…There is no literature available that describes ‘VATS in the supine position’ for lesions in the posterior mediastinum because the lung tissue falls in the dependent posterior mediastinum in the supine position and obscures the field of surgery; however, VATS in the supine position is otherwise routinely done for lesions in the anterior mediastinum and for single-stage bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. [2]…”

Videothoracoscopic surgical approach for spontaneous pneumothorax: review of the pertinent literature

“…Median sternotomy or bilateral axillary thoracotomy has been traditionally performed for the bilateral treatment of pneumothorax [ 3 , 60 ]. With the advent of VATS, there have been several reports of a bilateral VATS procedure at a single sitting, with excellent results [ 2 , 61 , 62 ].…”

“…After the first side is complete, the patient is rotated to the opposite lateral decubitus position, and an identical procedure is performed on the contralateral side. As described in several reports on bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax or volume reduction surgery [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 20 , 62 ], the bilateral VATS procedure has also been performed in the supine position. This procedure is useful in several aspects, compared to that in the bilateral decubitus position.…”

Bilateral Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Thymectomy for Masaoka Stage IIIA Thymomas

“…4,7 In recent years, bilateral procedures have been reported for thoracodorsal sympathectomy, splanchnicectomy, and the resection of pulmonary metastases. [8][9][10][11] Although bilateral procedures have a longer operative time, they are associated with less intraoperative blood loss, less pain, and better cosmetic results compared with the transsternal approach, while their mortality and remission rates, as well as the patient's postoperative quality of life, are not significantly different. 9,12 Bilateral procedures are becoming more preferred as an effective alternative to the transsternal approach for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).…”