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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Design and Use of a Full Flow Sampling System (FFS) for the Quantification of Methane Emissions
Published on: June 12, 2016
Evidence-based suggestions for management of air leaks
Robert E Merritt1, Sunil Singhal, Joseph B Shrager
1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Medical Center, 2nd floor Falk Building, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. rmerritt@stanford.edu
Abstract:
The management of postoperative alveolar air leaks (AALs) continues to challenge thoracic surgeons. AALs increase length of stay and health care costs, and likely lead to other postoperative complications. Staple line buttresses, topical sealants, pleural tents, pneumoperitoneum, and modifications of traditional chest tube management (ie, reduced suction) have all been proposed to help reduce AAL. However, the cost of some of the commercial products being marketed may outweigh their relative effectiveness, and some of these techniques and products have not been adequately studied to date. This article provides a review of the available evidence-based literature that addresses the efficacy of the options currently available to prevent and manage AALs. Management suggestions based on this literature are presented.
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