Evaluation of the Management of Air Leak Post Pulmonary Resection

Background: Postoperative air leak is one of the most com-mon complications occurring in a considerable number of pa-tients following pulmonary resection surgery. An air leak is the escape of air from a break in the lung parenchyma or defect in a lung or bronchial staple line. Although most of the air leaks re-solve spontaneously, a minor air leak may postpone chest tube removal, contributing to prolonged postoperative pain, delayed functional status, intra-thoracic infections, and increased hospi-tal length of stay. Aim of Study: The aim of this study is to evaluate the lead-ing factors of air leak following pulmonary resection either an-atomical or non-anatomical resections for different reasons and to study the different ways in its management. Results: The mean age for the study group was 29.4 years and all patients (100%) were males. Smoking history was pres-ent in 26 patients (86.67%). Regarding the preoperative diag-nosis for the study group; 14 (46.67%) patients had recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, 5 patients (16.67%) had bullous lung disease, bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax in 2 (6.67%) patients, lung nodule in 4 (13.33%) patients, lung mass in 2 (6.67%) patients, bronchiectasis in 1 (3.33%) patient, lung me-tastases in 1 (3.33%) patient and huge lung cyst in 1 (3.33%) patient. Conclusion: Air leak after pulmonary resection is a com-mon complication that have significant morbidity. Smoking was prevalent in most of the patients who had postoperative air leak. Most of the air leak can be managed conservatively and only a few percentages of patients could need an intervention. Blood patch and bronchoscopy with silver nitrate injection are good modalities for control of postoperative air leak.