Prolonged air leak following video-assisted thoracoscopic major lung resection: newer avenues to manage an age-old problem.

Abstract

Over the period of a decade or so, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has established itself as a modality of choice not only for the early-stage lung cancers, but also for the primary pulmonary and mediastinal diseases. But prolonged air leak is a well-known morbidity of lung resection surgery, and thoracoscopic technique is no exception. Primary indication of any minimally invasive surgery is lesser trauma and eventual early post-operative recovery. The prolonged air leak compromises in attaining those goals and often becomes a reason of delayed discharge from the hospital. This review reflects on this relevant problem of air leak and its management in brief.