The covering with forceps-assisted polymeric biodegradable sheet and endostapling method: a simplified technique for wide coverage and reinforcement of staple-line in video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax.

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is one of the most common diseases. To prevent recurrent pneumothorax after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, various methods of pleural covering with biodegradable polymers have been devised. In addition, using fibrin sealant should be avoided as far as possible because of its infectious aspect. Thus, we devised the covering with forceps-assisted polymeric biodegradable sheet and endostapling method in response to these demands. With this novel technique, we used non-woven polyglycolic acid (PGA) NEOVEIL® sheet (Gunze, Ayabe, Japan). A 5-mm cut was made in the center of the PGA sheet, which was then guided over the apical bulla with a lung forceps. The bulla was then pulled through the cut hole with the lung forceps, in a manner similar to the way a cape is worn through the head. To avoid stapling failure caused by wrinkling of the PGA sheet, we moistened the sheet with a few drops of saline before endostapling. The diseased lung tissue was resected by endostapling across the PGA sheet. After firing the endostapler, we could perform a sealing test by inflating the lung to detect persistent air leaks. This is a simple and reliable technique of staple-line reinforcement without fibrin glue.