Is it possible for your lung to collapse after VATS pleurodesis especially if the surgery was successful? Both chemical and mechanical pleurodesis was used.
Yes. I had the VATS last May. In July I started hearing weird noises. I tried to ignore it. Finally I went to a specialist in Nov. I had a small collapse. I had to take it easy for about 6 weeks. No bowling or strenuous activity and thank goodness it healed itself. My pleurodesis was talc. The doc said that is why it was able to heal. Plus I was prescribed Rappa. I a condition called LAM which causes collapses, the med is the only med found to help the issue.
Hi Shawn , my son had vats on both sides and few months later had small collapse that was confirmed with X-ray . Told to rest and take it easy . It healed on its own .
But no full major collapse? I’m aware you can have small air leaks but I’m curious if it’s possible to have a full on attack with the sharp pain and needing to go to the ER for a chest tube.
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your response. You have not experienced a full on collapse though, correct?
I’m aware that it’s possible to have small air leaks from time to time which should heal on its own but I’m nervous about having a full on collapse where you need to go to the ER for a chest tube. Doctor said a full collapse is not likely in your situation?
Also what does rappa do for you?
Hi Shawn , my son got left side vats done, week later right side vats , then week later left side failed and lung went down, he ended up getting left side vats re done . Air leaks since but nothing needing drain. Consultant very confident lungs won’t go down now. I have read somewhere someone needed vats re done years later. Was also told at hospital there is other procedures available if vats not successful . But I think it’s successful for many people. I would get any pains etc checked out , I think it’s a watch and see . We are now having confidence in the procedure but it’s took many months .
Hi Shawn - I believe that technically the lung can’t/won’t collapse. That’s the purpose of the VATS Pleurodesis surgery. An oversimplification is that the outside of your lung is intentionally “irritated” and caused to bleed and your chest wall lining is intentionally “irritated” and caused to bleed (weather by talc or mechanical or both), causing them to fuse together as they heal. It is important to note that this does not mean that your lung can’t get an air leak, but since your lung is fused to your chest wall, the theory is that it won’t collapse. This is how it was explained to me in March when I had it done to my Rt. Lung.