An effective method of pleurodesis involving absorbable mesh for repetitive catamenial pneumothorax

Catamenial pneumothorax (CPX) is an aetiologically very complex disease for which the treatments for pneumothorax and endometriosis are generally adapted. However, emphasizing secondary prevention, we developed a new method. This powerful new technique for prevention of pneumothorax during menstruation by surgical pleurodesis using absorbable mesh is presented. CPX is a relatively rare disease characterized by recurrent pneumothorax during menstruation. Although pathological diagnosis is desirable, CPX is clinically defined as recurrent pneumothorax synchronized with the menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, conventional therapy, including hormonal treatment and surgical procedures, seems to be associated with a high rate of recurrence; there is no well-established treatment for CPX. Recently, we developed a useful and effective operative method for spontaneous pneumothorax, with which one can remove the lesion site and sew a polyglactin mesh on the lung concurrently by endoscopic linear cutter under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, dressing the lung with polyglactin mesh to reinforce the stump and facilitating pleural adhesion for secondary prevention. We have used this method to resect pathological lung lesions and promote pleurodesis to prevent recurrence. In addition, polyglycolate felt was placed to cover the lesion site in the diaphragm in four cases of repetitive and treatment-resistant CPX as surgical pleurodesis, and successful results were obtained.