Chemical Pleurodesis Induced with Fibrin Glue for the Treatment of Inoperable Spontaneous Pneumothorax

: Chemical pleurodesis induced with fibrin glue (fibrinogen 1.0 g, thrombin 500 mu, 2% CaCl2 10 ml, tranexamic acid 10 ml) was performed in 6 cases with spontaneous pneumothorax in whom surgery was not indicated because of various reasons, such as low pulmonary function or old age. These cases were complicated with left pneumonectomy, bilateral emphysema, pulmonary tuberculosis and interstitial pneumonia. In all cases, favorable results were obtained and there was no recurrence. As side effects, only transient low grade fever and slight chest pain were observed with no liver damage or pleural thickening. These results suggest that chemical pleurodesis induced with fibrin glue is very useful in the treatment of inoperable spontaneous pneumothorax.