Pocket-sized Heimlich valve (Pneumostat) after bullae resection: a 5-year review.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the practicability, effectiveness, and potential complications of a newly improvised pocket-sized Heimlich valve named the Pneumostat (Atrium Medical Corp, Hudson, NH).

Description: This was a retrospective review of 98 patients who underwent bullae resection after recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax at our center from January 2002 until June 2007. Data from the patients' files were collected and analyzed.

Evaluation: The mean age of the patients was 28.5 years (range, 17 to 52). There were 80.6% smokers and 5.1% diabetics. Pneumostat (Atrium Medical Corp) was inserted and the patients started to ambulate on day 1 after surgery. The mean hospital stay was 3.08 days. The mean duration of the affected lung to fully expand and the drain to be removed was 7.5 days. No other complications occurred, apart from drain site wound infection in 4.1% of the patients, which resolved with oral antibiotics and simple wound care.

Conclusions: This review proved that the pocket-sized Pneumostat was safe and practical in this group of patients. It improved the patients' recovery in terms of mobilization and reduced the length of hospital stays with no significant complications.