Post-Operative Air Leaks

Air leaks remain one of the most common complications after pulmonary resection, affecting more than 20 percent of patients.1 Most air leaks are small in volume, self-limiting, and usually close naturally within three to four days. In some cases they persist longer, at which point they become classified as prolonged.

Comparison of Length of Stay in Patients With and Without Prolonged Post-Operative Air Leaks



In addition to the costs associated with increased length of stay, post-operative air leaks contribute to significant morbidity and mortality as well as provider frustration.1,2,3,4

Treatment Options

Various approaches to treating prolonged air leaks have been attempted but only with anecdotal benefit reported. Common treatment options include prolonged thorocostomy tube drainage, pleurodesis and thorascopic or open surgical repair. 4

The IBV Valve System is a new minimally invasive treatment option for use in the control of prolonged air leaks of the lung, or significant air leaks that are likely to become prolonged following lobectomy, segmentectomy or lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).
1 Cerfolio RJ, The benefits of continuous and digital air leak assessment after elective pulmonary resection: a prospective study.  Ann Thorac Surg 2008;86:396-401.
2 Stolz AJ, Schutzner J, et al.  Predictors of prolonged air leak following pulmonary lobectomy.  Eur J Cariothorac Surg 2005;27:334-336.
3 DeCamp MM, Balckstone EH, et al.  Patient and surgical factors influencing air leak after lung volume reduction surgery:  lessons learned from the national
emphysema treatment trial.  Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:1.
4 Gilespie CT, Sterman DH, et al. Endobronchial valve treatment for prolonged air leaks of the lung: a case series. Ann Thorac Surg 2011;91:270-273.