Positive outcome of diaphragm covering and total pleural covering techniques for catamenial pneumothorax

Abstract

Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is reported to be caused by the endometriosis of diaphragm, lung and parietal pleura. Therefore, the resection of endometriotic lesion in these organs is reported as effective surgical treatment. Overlooking of endometrial tissues during the operation is believed to be the cause of recurrence after surgical treatment. To address this problem, we underwent total diaphragm covering (TDC) and total pleural covering with sheets of oxidized regenerated cellulose mesh. This report described two CP cases that underwent total diaphragm covering (TDC) and total pleural covering. Both patients were followed up for 1 year without recurrence.