PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Kalliopi Athanassiadi AU - Ilias Samiotis AU - Maria-Styliani Kolokotroni AU - Vassilis Kouritas AU - Maria-Kalliopi Konstantinidou AU - Stavroula Boulia AU - Ion Bellenis TI - The use of Pezzer catheter in cases of persistent airleak in advanced cystic fibrosis DP - 2012 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P1123 VI - 40 IP - Suppl 56 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1123.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P1123.full SO - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40 AB - OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous pneumothorax with persistent airleak is a complication that is commonly reported in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). There is an attributable mortality and considerable morbidity to the complication, resulting in increased health-care utilization and a measurable decline in lung function. We present a series of 11 patients with CF presenting with recurrent pneumothoraces and persistent airleak treated with a Pezzer catheter.MATERIAL & METHOD: All 11 patients presented with large pneumothoraces; a 28 French Argyle intercostal catheter was inserted in the 5th or 6th intercostal space, mid axillary line, and connected to an underwater seal drain, resulting in re-expansion of the lung. However, there was persistent air leak on coughing in 7 cases while in the rest 4 cases, the intercostal tube became inactive and smaller pneumothoraces presented as local ones, impossible to be drained by the already in place intercostal catheter. In both groups either with persistent pneumothoraces or recurrent ones we decided to use Pezzer catheters made of Latex instead of Argyle ones.RESULTS: All pneumothoraces were resolved within 3 days after the insertion of a Pezzer catheter. There were no complications recorded and in a follow up of 2 years no recurrence was observed.CONCLUSION: Our experience supports the use of Pezzer catheter connected to water seal in cases of advanced cystic fibrosis with prolonged air leak, since it promotes pleurodesis. It reduces significantly the duration of the intrapleural drainages and the length of the in-hospital stay. The procedure is cost-effective, safe, and easy to perform.