The utility of the Stapler with PGA sheet for pulmonary wedge resection: a propensity score-matched analysis

Pulmonary wedge resection is practiced widely for metastatic lung cancer, benign lung tumors, lung biopsy (e.g., interstitial pneumonia) and pneumothorax. With the advancements in automatic suturing devices, pulmonary wedge resection has become a relatively safe method. Air leakage from the staple line is a major complication after pulmonary wedge resection (1). Since this problem cannot be avoided completely during resection of the lung parenchyma, prolonged air leakage causes long-term chest tube placement, which causes persistent pain and an extended hospital stay for patients (2,3). Furthermore, pleurodesis (4,5) or re-operation may be necessary if air leakage cannot be controlled. Therefore, surgeons must strive to reduce air leakage as much as possible