1996 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 123-127
The incidence of intraoperative air-leaks of bronchial stumps after closure of bronchus was reviewed in 150 pulmonary resections for lung cancer patients. There were 14 air-leaks in 77 stapled cases (lobectomy, 10 ; bilobectomy, 4; and pneumonectomy, 0). There were 5 air-leaks in 73 sutured cases (lobectomy, 5; bilobectomy, 0; and pneumonectomy, 0). The incidence of intraoperative air-leaks of stapled cases was significantly higher than that of sutured cases (p<0.05). There were no postoperative bronchopleural fistulas in cases of intraoperative air-leaks when the air-leaks of bronchial stumps were repaired.