The utility of intrapleural instillation of autologous blood for prolonged air leak after lobectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Air leak after pulmonary lobectomy is a relatively common problem, which when persistent can be a cause of other postoperative morbidity as well as contributing to extended hospitalization. A number of methods have been proposed to prevent and treat air leakage, but none have proved incontrovertibly effective. This article reviews the practice of using autologous blood as an effective technique to treat postoperative air leaks after lobectomy.


RESULTS
Five reports have looked specifically at the technique. In all cases, the procedure was safe and efficacious, with proven advantages over other methods of managing persistent air leaks. It allows earlier removal of chest drains and shortens hospitalization times.


CONCLUSIONS
Instillation of autologous blood into the pleural drain in the early postoperative period can lead to immediate sealing of the air leak and allow for earlier drain removal and timely patient discharge. It is a safe bed-side procedure and can be done with relative ease and at minimal cost.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool, UK.
Aneez
A
Ahmed
Richard D
RD
Page
D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001769:Blood; D015505:Chest Tubes; D006801:Humans; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D035422:Pleural Cavity; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000379:methods*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*