Glossary of Terms

Airway: The tubes in the lungs that pass air to and from the lung tissue.

Anesthesia: Technique to make the body insensitive to pain and makes you unconscious.

Bronchoscope: A thin flexible medical tool, with a camera and a hollow tube in the center, used to see the airways in the lungs.

Bronchoscopy:  A technique of visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An instrument (bronchoscope) is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth.

Catheter: Thin, sterile, tubular-shaped tool used to deliver medicine or medical devices inside the body.

Chest tubes: A tube typically connected to a water trap valve system that allows continuous removal of air from the chest and helps avoid a build up of air between the chest wall and lungs.

Contraindication: Reason not to use the device/therapy.

Empyema: Condition in which pus and fluid from infected tissue collects in a body cavity.  Commonly occurs in the pleural cavity.

Intubation: Placement of a plastic tube that connects the airflow from the mouth to the windpipe.

Lobectomy: Excision (cutting out) of a lobe of an organ or gland.

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS): A major surgery done whereby some of the lung is removed.

Pleurodesis: Procedure to deposit a chemical directly on the lung surface to cause scarring; it is used to repair lung air leaks.

Pneumothrax:  Abnormal presence of air in the pleural cavity resulting in the collapse of the lung; may be spontaneous (due to injury to the chest) or induced

Post-operative air leaks: Air leaks that occur after a surgical procedure (operation).

Prolonged air leak: An air leak is one that lasts for 7 or more days.

Re-operation: The chest is surgically re-opened and a new attempt is made to close the leaking lung tissue by using staples and/or reinforcing materials and/or surgical glues.

Sedation: A medical procedure, giving sedative drugs to the patient to relax the central nervous system, can produce sleepiness.

Segmentectomy: Excision (cutting out) of a segment of an organ (like the lung) or a gland.

Significant air leak: An air leak that is severe and/or produces other health complications at the same time.

Subcutaneous Emphysema:  Air trapped below the skin. Subcutaneous refers to the space just below the skin, and emphysema refers to trapped air. Subcutaneous emphysema can occur from high speed projectile injuries, like gunshot wounds, or by air escaping from the respiratory system.

Surgical glues: Glue used inside the body to seal tissue.

Surgical staples: A medical grade staple used inside the body to seal tissue.

Thorax: The part of the body between the neck and the abdomen that contains the heart and lungs.

Please note that this website is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or treatment. Patients should consult with a physician to discuss treatment alternatives.