title: A Novel Technique to Treat Air Leak Following Lobectomy: Intrapleural Infusion of Plasma.
abstract: BACKGROUND Persistent air leak following pulmonary lobectomy can be very difficult to treat and results in prolonged hospitalization. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new method of postoperative air leak management using intrapleurally infused fresh frozen plasma via the chest tube. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between June 2008 and June 2014, we retrospectively reviewed 98 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer and postoperatively developed persistent air leak treated with intrapleural instillation of fresh frozen plasma. RESULTS The study identified 89 men and 9 women, with a median age of 65.5 years (range 48-77 years), with persistent postoperative air leak. Intrapleural infusion of fresh frozen plasma was successful in stopping air leaks in 90 patients (92%) within 24 hours, and in 96 patients (98%) within 48 hours, following resumption of the procedure. In the remaining 2, air leak ceased at 14 and 19 days. CONCLUSIONS Intrapleural infusion of fresh frozen plasma is a safe, inexpensive, and remarkably effective method for treatment of persistent air leak following lobectomy for lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, 3rd Internal Medicine Clinic of Athens University, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Froso
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Konstantinou
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, 3rd Internal Medicine Clinic of Athens University, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Potaris
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, 3rd Internal Medicine Clinic of Athens University, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, 3rd Internal Medicine Clinic of Athens University, General Hospital Sotiria, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panteleimon
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsipas
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, 3rd Internal Medicine Clinic of Athens University, General Hospital Sotiria, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Grigorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karagkiouzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, 3rd Internal Medicine Clinic of Athens University, General Hospital Sotiria, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konstantinou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D015505:Chest Tubes; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*