PREVENTION OF AIR LEAKS AFTER PULMONARY WEDGE RESECTION

Prolonged air leak after a lung volume reduction operation for pulmona ry emphysema is a major cause of morbidity and prolonged hospital stay . Staple line reinforcement is recognized as an effective adjunctive t echnique for decreasing the occurrence of air leaks after pulmonary we dge resection. Numerous materials have been used for staple-line reinf orcement. We use expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sleeves that fit ove r the arms of surgical staplers to facilitate staple-line reinforcemen t in both thoracoscopic and open lung volume reduction procedures. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sleeves do not require rinsing or sp ecial handling; they are easy to use and effective in preventing air l eaks. We had no prolonged air leaks or infections in any of the cases in which we used the sleeves. (C) 1997 by The Society of Thoracic Surg eons.