PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - D A Simansky AU - A Yellin TI - Pleural abrasion via axillary thoracotomy in the era of video assisted thoracic surgery. AID - 10.1136/thx.49.9.922 DP - 1994 Sep 01 TA - Thorax PG - 922--923 VI - 49 IP - 9 4099 - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/49/9/922.short 4100 - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/49/9/922.full SO - Thorax1994 Sep 01; 49 AB - BACKGROUND--Recurrent episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax can be managed medically or surgically by various methods, video assisted thoracoscopy being the latest and most attractive. METHODS--A retrospective analysis was made of 43 pleural abrasions performed in 39 patients through a 4-6 cm axillary thoracotomy incision. RESULTS--There were no deaths and complications were few. At a mean follow up of 33 months there were two recurrences, neither of which required drainage. CONCLUSIONS--Compared with results achieved with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery, open pleural abrasion via a small thoracotomy may be the treatment of choice in most hospitals.