Treatment of air leakage using the VIO soft coagulation system: a mouse pulmonary air leak model.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the efficacy of the VIO soft coagulation system (VSCS) for the treatment of air leaks by sealing with fibrin glue, and also assess the histological alterations that occur after soft coagulation. METHODS: A mouse pulmonary air leak model was designed. The pulmonary fistula was subsequently coagulated with the VSCS or sealed with fibrin glue with polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets. The burst pressure at air leak recurrence was measured in each group, and the results were compared. We also evaluated the histological alterations in the mouse pulmonary air leak model after soft coagulation with the VSCS. RESULTS: The burst pressure in the soft coagulation group (80 W/Effect 5) (median 42.8; range 35.4-53.8 cmH2O) was similar to that in the fibrin glue group (median 41.5; range 34.6-43.9 cmH2O) (p = 0.21). Histological examinations revealed that the visceral pleura remained torn, the structure of the pulmonary alveolus was maintained, and the coagulated fistula was covered with a fibrin membrane in the soft coagulation group. CONCLUSIONS: The pressure resistance following soft coagulation was equivalent to that after sealing using fibrin glue with PGA sheets. The air leaks were likely controlled by covering the fistula with a fibrin membrane after soft coagulation with the VSCS.