Should we use a biophysical approach in the classification and management of air leakage after lung resection?

[摘要] An alveolar-pleural fistula, or air leak, is the most common postoperative complication following elective lung resection. An air leak is a communication between the pulmonary parenchyma’s alveoli and the pleural space distal to a segmental bronchus. A prolonged air leak (PAL) is defined as an air leak for more than five days postoperatively. Patients with PAL have a significantly longer length of stay, which results in higher costs. Similar findings were observed in a cohort of patients undergoing lung cancer resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). PAL necessitates prolonged chest tube drainage, which increases postoperative pain, respiratory splinting, which increases the risk of pneumonia, venous thromboembolic complications due to decreased mobility, and the need for additional procedures such as chemical or mechanical pleurodesis (1).

[学科分类] 呼吸医学