Preoperative Detection of Pleural Adhesions Using Ultrasonography for Ipsilateral Secondary Thoracic Surgery Patients

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for ipsilateral reoperations is challenging because of the potential for pleural adhesions. Insertion of the initial port can lead to lung injury because of the blinded intrathoracic area. We assessed the usefulness of ultrasonography before VATS to reduce the incidence of lung injury at the time of the initial port insertion during secondary ipsilateral VATS.Thirty-three patients who underwent repeat VATS for ipsilateral pulmonary lesions were included. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasonography to assess the possible presence of pleural adhesions using the lung sliding sign.Seven adhesions were found at the VATS ports. Two of these adhesions were not evaluated as pleural adhesions using ultrasonography; however, they were loose. All initial ports were inserted without lung injury. There were no major complications.Preoperative detection of pleural adhesions using ultrasonography can determine the best initial port for secondary ipsilateral VATS.