Chemical pleurodesis with autologous blood and freeze-dried concentrated human thrombin improved spontaneous pneumothorax and thoracic endometriosis: The first case involving a pregnant woman.

OBJECTIVE

Spontaneous pneumothorax combined with thoracic endometriosis is a rare condition during pregnancy. We present a case of chemical pleurodesis with autologous blood and freeze-dried concentrated human thrombin during pregnancy.

CASE REPORT: This report presents a case of spontaneous pneumothorax combined with thoracic endometriosis that arose at 22 weeks' gestation in a 35-year-old female. The initial chest drainage was unsuccessful. At 25 weeks' gestation, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed and revealed endometriosis in the thoracic cavity. Since the leak persisted, chemical pleurodesis was performed with autologous blood and freeze-dried concentrated human thrombin at 28 weeks' gestation. The leak improved markedly and did not recur.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case report about chemical pleurodesis with autologous blood and freeze-dried concentrated human thrombin during pregnancy. This procedure might contribute to the management of pneumothorax in pregnant women.