Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Thoracoscopic Extended Right Middle Plus Lower Sleeve Lobectomy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: February 27, 2026
Autologous blood patch pleurodesis in the management of prolonged air leak
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kirikkale University, School of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey. berkantozpolat@yahoo.com
Objective:
Prolonged air leak is a common problem for thoracic surgeons. In this study, the efficacy of autologous blood patch pleurodesis for prolonged air leak in spontaneous pneumothorax and secondary to pulmonary hydatid cyst operations was evaluated.
Methods:
Between 1997 and 2007, autologous blood patch pleurodesis was used to treat prolonged air leak in 24 patients. Prolonged air leak was due to spontaneous pneumothorax in 17 patients and secondary to pulmonary hydatid cyst operation in 7 patients. Venous blood (2 mL/kg) was withdrawn from the patient's antecubital vein and given into the chest tube. The chest tube was unclamped and kept at 60 cm above the patient's chest. After the procedure, the tube was left in its natural position. The procedure was repeated 24 hours after the first attempt in cases of persistent air leak. The chest tube was removed after 24 hours if no air leak was observed.
Results:
Air leaks stopped within 24 hours in 20 patients. Four patients received an extra instillation of autologous blood of the same dose the next day. The rate of successful treatment was 87.5 %. The chest tube was removed 24 hours after termination of the air leak. No specific clinical symptoms resulting from the procedure were observed.
Conclusion:
Management of prolonged air leak with autologous blood patch pleurodesis is a safe, easy and effective method. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature on the use of this method after hydatid cyst surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pleura of the Lungs
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
