ABSTRACT

Aim:

Aim of this study was to compare successful nonsurgical treatment models performed in the patients with prolonged air leakage (PAL) following lobectomy.

Materials and Methods:

Treatment modalities applied to 108 patients who developed PAL after lobectomy between February 2000 and October 2018 were divided into three groups as negative suction, autologous blood pleuridesis and one way chest valves. Each treatment group was compared in terms of hospital stay and cost.

Results:

The highest treatment cost was in the group treated with negative suction and the lowest hospital cost was due to autologous blood pleuridesis. In addition, the duration of treatment was the longest in the negative aspiration treatment group and the shortest hospital stay was in patients treated with one way valve.

Conclusion:

Autologous blood pleurodesis should be preferred due to rapid effect and low cost in nonsurgical treatment of the patients with PAL after lobectomy.