In the past, many case series have reported the
effectiveness of autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP)
in recurrent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP),
particularly in those who were unfit for surgery. We describe
two cases of persistent air leak in pneumoconiosis and
pulmonary fibrosis with bronchiectasis, whereby the
techniques employed had improved the success rate of
ABPP. The determining factors that lead to the success of
ABPP were determined by the volume of autologous blood
instilled, Trendelenburg position post instillation, and early
chest physiotherapy with mobilisation by application of
pneumostat.