Pulmonary Bleb Resection and Pleurodesis (Open and MIS Approaches)

Abstract

This chapter describes surgical procedures for pulmonary bleb resection and pleurodesis performed via the thoracoscopic and open approaches. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: lung isolation, safe entry into the thoracic cavity, staple resection of pulmonary blebs, mechanical and chemical pleurodesis, and chest tube drainage.