title: Natural air leak test without submergence for spontaneous pneumothorax.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postoperative air leaks are frequent complications after surgery for a spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). We herein describe a new method to test for air leaks by using a transparent film and thoracic tube in a closed system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2005 and 2010, 35 patients underwent a novel method for evaluating air leaks without submergence, and their clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. The data on patient characteristics, surgical details, and perioperative outcomes were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The differences in the clinical background and intraoperative factors did not reach a statistically significant level between the new and classical methods. The incidence of recurrence was also equivalent to the standard method. However, the length of the operation and drainage periods were significantly shorter in patients evaluated using the new method than the conventional method. Further, no postoperative complications were observed in patients evaluated using the new method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This simple technique is satisfactorily effective and does not result in any complications.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807, Japan. hidetaka@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uramoto
authors.forename: Fumihiro
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000388:Air; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult