The criteria of additional treatment for persistent air leaks using pulmonary air leak score after pulmonary resection

Abstract

Air leakage is a common complication after pulmonary resection. Pleurodesis or reoperation is performed for prolonged air leak, but it is not clear how to judge the necessity of additional treatment or when it may be needed. This study evaluated the criteria of additional treatment for persistent air leaks using the pulmonary air leak score (PALS) after pulmonary resection. Forty-six patients who underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy and who developed air leaks on postoperative day (POD) 4 were investigated and assigned to 2 groups: Group A (n=24) received additional treatment, pleurodesis or reoperation, for prolonged air leaks, whereas group B (n=22) received no treatment. PALS was higher on POD 4 in group A (p<0.001). We suggest that PALS is useful to evaluate air leaks and to judge the criteria of additional treatment on POD 4 after pulmonary resection.