Covering technique using an absorbable sheet for patients with spontaneous pneumothorax (onepoint fixation at the center of the sheet)

: Effective surgical treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax requires control of the postoperative recurrent bulla. Currently, a covering method using an absorbable sheet is a well-recognized form of operative procedure to prevent recurrence. However, the technique used in covering methods appears to be complicated. Here, we present a simple covering method. Using a suture as a guide, we can easily and correctly induce the sheet to the targeting area. Fixation is made at only 1 point at the center of the sheet. To date, we have applied this covering method to 57 patients. Recurrence was recognized in 3 patients( 5.3%) over a mean follow-up period of 12 months.