Published in:
01-11-2011
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Medications: Efficient and Safe Treatment Following Video-Assisted Pleurodesis for Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 11/2011
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax is widely treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) bullectomy and pleurodesis. Treatment of postoperative pain with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is controversial as many surgeons believe that it reduces the efficacy of pleurodesis and increases the pneumothorax recurrence rate.
Methods
In this retrospective study, we reviewed the hospital records for patients following VATS pleurodesis for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. The patients were divided into two groups: (1) NSAID group: patients were treated with NSAIDs for more than a week following surgery and (2) control group: patients did not receive NSAIDs. Data regarding short- and long-term outcomes were compared.
Results
The study cohort included 105 patients: 48 in the NSAID group and 57 in the control group. During the early postoperative period the average daily requirement of narcotic analgesia and the incidence of narcotic-related side effects were lower in the NSAIDs group. No difference was found in the long-term recurrence rate: two of 48 (4%) in the NSAID group and three of 57 (5%) in the control group. There was one case of early recurrence in the NSAID group. Both groups had similar length of stay with no cases of mortality or major morbidity.
Conclusions
NSAIDs for postsurgical pleurodesis pain obviates the need for narcotics without increasing the pneumothorax recurrence rate. Prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to further investigate this issue.