Indication, Technique, and Results of Therapeutic Pleurodesis: Formation of Adhesions and Parallels to Abdominal Surgery

Pleura and peritoneum both originate from the inner layer of the former coelomic cavity, which is not separated in thoracic and abdominal before the sixth week of embryological development [4]. This suggests a relationship between adhesion formation in interpleural and interperitoneal space. Understanding what happens in one cavity may shed light on problems in the other. In the present context, we focus on the formation of adhesions following different types of surgical trauma. In pneumothorax surgery, formation of adhesions is usually not looked upon as a complication, but as the goal of the procedure. In therapeutic pleurodesis, the possibility of adhesions not forming is an important factor, but the reasons for this nonformation are as yet unknown.