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Intrabronchial Valves for Air Leaks After Lobectomy, Segmentectomy, and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery

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Abstract

Purpose

Air leaks are common after lobectomy, segmentectomy, and lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). This can increase post-operative morbidity, cost, and hospital length of stay. The management of post-pulmonary resection air leaks remains challenging. Minimally invasive effective interventions are necessary. The Spiration Valve System (SVS, Olympus/Spiration Inc., Redmond, WA, US) is approved by the FDA under humanitarian use exemption for management of prolonged air leaks.

Methods

This is a prospective multicenter registry of 39 patients with air leaks after lobectomy, segmentectomy, and LVRS managed with an intention to use bronchoscopic SVS to resolve air leaks.

Results

Bronchoscopic SVS placement was feasible in 82.1% of patients (32/39 patients) and 90 valves were placed with a median of 2 valves per patient (mean of 2.7 ± 1.5 valves, range of 1 to 7 valves). Positive response to SVS placement was documented in 76.9% of all patients (30/39 patients) and in 93.8% of patients when SVS placement was feasible (30/32 patients). Air leaks ultimately resolved when SVS placement was feasible in 87.5% of patients (28/32 patients), after a median of 2.5 days (mean ± SD of 8.9 ± 12.4 days). Considering all patients with an intention to treat analysis, bronchoscopic SVS procedure likely contributed to resolution of air leaks in 71.8% of patients (28/39 patients). The post-procedure median hospital stay was 4 days (mean 6.0 ± 6.1 days).

Conclusions

This prospective registry adds to the growing body of literature supporting feasible and effective management of air leaks utilizing one-way valves.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. M. Abu-Hijleh accepts responsibility for the integrity of the submitted work and attests that no undisclosed authors contributed to the manuscript.

Funding

This was a post marketing registry supported by research grants from Spiration (Olympus/Spiration Inc., Redmond, WA, US).

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Correspondence to Muhanned Abu-Hijleh.

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Conflict of interest

Drs. M. Abu-Hijleh, K. Styrvoky, F. Woll and V. Anand report no conflicts of interest. Dr. L. Yarmus has received research, educational funding and consulting fees from Olympus America. Dr. M. S. Machuzak served as a consultant to Spiration/ Olympus America. Dr. D. A. Nader received research, educational and consulting fees from Olympus America. Dr. D. K. Hogarth served as a consultant to Spiration/ Olympus America. This ended in 2015. Dr. J. Toth has received research, educational and consulting fees from Olympus America. Dr. R. F. Casal served as an educational consultant Olympus America and had research grants from Siemens and Concordia. Dr. S. Hazelrigg reports no conflicts of interest. Dr. D. E. Wood has received research, educational and consulting fees from Olympus America.

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Abu-Hijleh, M., Styrvoky, K., Anand, V. et al. Intrabronchial Valves for Air Leaks After Lobectomy, Segmentectomy, and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery. Lung 197, 627–633 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-019-00268-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-019-00268-7

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