Blood Patch for Pneumothorax: a Literature Review

This article reviewed the existing literature for the use of autologous blood patch in patients with a pneumothorax.Recent findingsIntra-pleural instillation of autologous blood for pneumothorax has been advocated in numerous case reports, case series, retrospective and prospective studies, often with very promising results. However, high-quality randomised evidence remains lacking. There is no standard approach to the application and delivery method of autologous blood patch, and its underlying mechanism is debated.SummaryAutologous blood patch for persistent air leak in pneumothorax is efficacious, readily available, cheap and well tolerated. However, there is a need for optimising the approach to autologous blood patch and establishing its efficacy and safety in controlled trials.
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research