Fluoroscopy Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage of Pneumothorax in Patients with Failed Chest Tube Drainage

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and the safety of percutaneous catheter drainage in patients with pneumothorax that is difficult to treat with closed thoracotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed effectivenss of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in 10 patients with pneumothorax. The catheter was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Seven patients had spontaneous pneumothorax caused by tuberculosis (n=4), ruptured bullae (n=2), and histiocytosis-X(n=l). Three patients had iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by trauma (n=l) and surgery(n=2). All procedures were performed by modified Seldinger's method by using 8F-20F catheter. RESULTS: All catheters were inserted successfully. In 9 of 10 patients, the procedure was curative without further therapy. Duration of catheter insertion ranged from 1 day to 26 days. In the remaining 1 patient in whom multiple pneumothorax occurred after operation, catheter insertion was performed twice. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous catheter drainage under fluoroscopic guidance is effective and safe procedure for treatment of pneumothorax in patients with failed closed thoracotomy.