Management of Complications after Lung Resection: Prolonged Air Leak and Bronchopleural Fistula

Prolonged air leak or alveolar-pleural fistula is common after lung resection and can usually be managed with continued pleural drainage until resolution. Further management options include blood patch administration, chemical pleurodesis, and one-way endobronchial valve placement. Bronchopleural fistula is rare but is associated with high mortality, often due to development of concomitant empyema. Bronchopleural fistula should be confirmed with bronchoscopy, which may allow for bronchoscopic intervention; however, transthoracic stump revision or window thoracostomy may be required.
Source: Thoracic Surgery Clinics - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Source Type: research