The minimally invasive treatment of bullous pneumopathy. The anatomicopathological and pneumological findings in 18 months of experience

: The authors present 18-month experience in the minimally invasive treatment of bullous pneumopathy and review of the relative literature. Results of pneumologic and pathologic studies are correlated with the advantages of the technique. Tobacco smoking, positive family history, associated disease and long standing treatments have been considered. Special attention is drawn to macro and microscopic findings. The authors concluded that: (a) There is a positive correlation between surgical technique of pleural cavity exploration and recidival pneumopathy. (b) There is no correlation between family history and pneumological and pathological findings. (c) A wider experience on bullous pneumopathy may offer new interesting pneumological knowledge.