[Talc therapy during thoracoscopy of pneumothorax due to rupture of the bullae in emphysema. A study of 71 cases].

The treatment of pneumothorax for large emphysematous bullae is classically surgical. We report a study of 71 patients treated by pleural talc therapy using thoracoscopy with good or excellent long term results in 93% of cases at a cost of some minor side effects. These results were compared with other forms of medical treatment which were always less effective and with surgical techniques which had more severe side effects. These results enable us to stress the value of talc therapy using pleuroscopy in patients with respiratory failure.