Management of air leaks post-surgical lung resection

Air leaks also known as alveolar-pleural fistulas (APL) remain a challenge for the thoracic surgeon and one of the most common if not the most common complications post elective lung resection. Despite advances in surgical technology and techniques air leaks are the leading cause of increased morbidity in patients that can result in prolonged hospital time, increased pain from prolonged chest tubes, increased overall costs, empyema, pneumonia and overall patient dissatisfaction (1)