A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease evaluated the effectiveness of intrapleural lavage drainage (IPLD) as an adjunct to thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleurodesis in preventing recurrent pneumothorax. Researchers found that IPLD improved postoperative lung expansion and contributed to lower recurrence rates, suggesting it can be a valuable addition to standard surgical procedures for pneumothorax management.

The study included patients undergoing thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleurodesis, comparing outcomes between those who received IPLD and those who did not. Results demonstrated that patients receiving IPLD had more complete lung re-expansion, fewer postoperative complications, and reduced recurrence of pneumothorax. These findings indicate that IPLD enhances the effectiveness of the surgical intervention and may improve short-term recovery outcomes.

Authors emphasized that incorporating IPLD in surgical practice could provide a safer and more effective method for managing patients at high risk of pneumothorax recurrence. The technique is straightforward, cost-effective, and can be easily integrated into existing thoracoscopic procedures. Further studies are warranted to confirm long-term benefits and to optimize IPLD protocols for broader clinical use.

Keywords: intrapleural lavage drainage, IPLD, thoracoscopic bullectomy, pleurodesis, pneumothorax recurrence, Journal of Thoracic Disease

Reference (APA style):

Zhang, L., Wang, H., Li, J., & Chen, X. (2025). Intrapleural lavage drainage as an adjunct to thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleurodesis for preventing pneumothorax recurrence. Journal of Thoracic Disease. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-25-106957