Standardized Approach to Prolonged Air Leak Reduction After Pulmonary Resection.

Background: Prolonged air leaks after pulmonary resection lead to patient discomfort, increased hospital length of stay, greater health care costs, and increased morbidity. A standardized approach to air leak reduction (STAR) after lung resection was developed and studied.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of a prospective database from 1 surgeon who had adopted STAR as standard of care.

Safety of Outpatient Chest Tube Management of Air Leaks After Pulmonary Resection.

Prolonged air leaks are the most common postoperative complication following pulmonary resection, leading to increased hospital length of stay (LOS) and cost. This study assesses the safety of discharging patients home with a chest tube (CT) after pulmonary resection. A retrospective review was performed of a single surgeon's experience with pulmonary resections from January 2010 to January 2015.