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Review
. 2019 Aug;7(15):361.
doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.04.30.

Management of air leaks post-surgical lung resection

Matthew E Bronstein  1 , Donna C Koo  2 , Tracey L Weigel  1
Affiliations
Review

Management of air leaks post-surgical lung resection

Matthew E Bronstein et al. Ann Transl Med. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Airleaks are one of the most common complications associated with elective lung resection. There have been many techniques and modern advancements in thoracic surgery, however airleaks persist. This review article will discuss several interventions ranging from conservative noninvasive to surgical management of the persistent airleak. These techniques include stopping of suction on the plueravac, fibrin patches, pleurodesis, use of endobronchial valves (EBVs), return to OR for operative intervention, and lastly to send patients home with mini pleuravacs.

Keywords: Persistent air leak (PAL); bronchopleural fistula (BPF); elective lung resection; endobronchial valve (EBV); fibrin sealant; pleuravac; pleurodesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Endobronchial valve.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mini 500 mobile portable drainage collection unit. Image from Bound Tree (56).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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