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Air Leak Following Lobectomy
After a lobectomy, your lung will leak air for a few days, until the area where the tissue was cut away heals over. But in some patients, this air leak continues for a longer period of time. Several treatments can be used to help stop the leak, depending on the particular situation.
In some patients, removing the chest tubes will help stop the leak. This is because the gentle suction of the pleurovac can keep some air leaks open. Some patients who have air leaks leave the hospital with a special chest tube with a valve on it, and have the leak checked periodically until it stops.
If the leak continues or gets worse, additional surgery may be needed.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD