Clinicopathological significance of staple line coverage with an oxidized regenerated cellulose sheet after bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Background: Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) sheet, in surgery of primary spontaneous pneumothorax, is used to reinforce the visceral pleura around the staple line coverage aiming to prevent a postoperative recurrence. We evaluated the effect of ORC on recurrence within 2 years after surgery.

Methods: A total of 201 patients aged < 40 years who underwent bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. They were classified into an ORC sheet coverage group (ORC group, n = 100) and a non-coverage group (n-ORC group, n = 101). Two-year recurrence-free survival rates are assessed between the two groups with associated analysis of radiographical and operative findings.

Results: ORC had no effect on the recurrence rate. CT images and re-operative findings showed regenerated bullae in 19 and 14 patients, close to staple lines in 14 and 11 patients, respectively. White pleural thickening within the covered area was observed in all patients of the ORC group. Pathological findings also showed pleural thickening in eight patients and bulla regeneration under pleural thickening in six patients.

Conclusions: Coverage with an ORC sheet after bullectomy did not prevent the regeneration of bullae and postoperative recurrence, regardless of exerting a reinforcement effect on the visceral pleura histologically.