The determination of pleurodesis using sonography after surgical pleurectomy for pneumothorax: a pilot study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate feasibility of monitoring the process of pleurodesis after surgical pleurectomy with thoracic ultrasound. Repetitive measurements with thoracic ultrasound after surgical pleurectomy could provide information on the extent and development speed of pleurodesis. We conducted a prospective single-center cohort study.

Ambulant treatment with a digital chest tube for prolonged air leak is safe and effective.

Background: Outpatient or ambulatory treatment for prolonged air leak (PAL) has been reported previously in various studies. Evidence regarding efficiency and safety is nevertheless poor. This report describes the experience of 10 years ambulatory care with a digital chest drain system monitored by specialized nurses in our centre.

CT-guided percutaneous hookwire localization increases the efficacy and safety of VATS for pulmonary nodules.

Background And Objectives: The diagnosis of pulmonary nodules of unknown origin is challenging, and such nodules are not always suitable for transthoracic needle biopsy. With the advent of video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and CT-guided percutaneous hookwire localization (CT-PHL) we hypothesized that the combination of these two procedures will improve early diagnosis.

Methods: Selection criteria were a nodule not well approachable with fine needle biopsy and the therapeutic consequences of a diagnosis as assessed by the multidisciplinary oncology board.