A Prospective Study Investigating Blood Patch Pleurodesis for Postoperative Air Leaks After Pulmonary Resection.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged air leaks (PALs) after lung resection are one of the most common complications in thoracic surgery. Several options are available to treat PALs. The autologous blood patch pleurodesis is commonly used but has not been thoroughly investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized study including all consecutive patients with PALs after pulmonary resections. Patients were randomized to either having received pleurodesis by injecting 100 mL autologous blood at d 5 and 6 (Group A) or being placed under observation (Group B). Patients from either group undergoing revisions were further investigated by a post hoc analysis and formed Group C. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were included: 10 patients were randomized to group A and 14 to group B. Six patients (3 from each group) underwent surgical revision and were included in Group C. Groups A and B did not differ in baseline characteristics. The median time to drainage removal was 9 d (range: 5-23 d) in Group A; 9 d (range: 2-20 d) in Group B; and 6 d in Group C (range: 3-10 d), (A/B versus C, P < 0.04; A versus B was not significant). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence indicating a benefit for blood patch pleurodeses in patients undergoing lung resections and presenting with postoperative PALs for more than 5 d. An early operative closure of postoperative air leakage seems to be more effective.

Dataset of a study investigating autologous blood patch pleurodesis in postoperative prolonged air leaks after lung resection.

Prolonged air leak (PAL) after pulmonary resection is one if the most common complications in thoracic surgery. The dataset was obtained from a prospective randomized study investigating autologous blood patch pleurodesis in PAL. Patients were randomized to either receiving 100 ml autologous blood injected at postoperative days five and six (group A) or to watchful waiting (group B). The primary and secondary endpoints focused on differences in the duration of PAL in each group and possible complications. The results were reported in The Journal of Surgical Research. In this Data in Brief article, we provide additional data concerning pain medication and pain score during the first ten postoperative days. This should provide additional insights into the trial.