Validation of a System Using Aerosol Glycerine to Detect and Localize Intraoperatively Pulmonary Air Leaks

Air leaks represent one of the most common complications and postoperative morbidity in thoracic surgery. Air leaks have been associated with the largest preventable morbidity associated with increased costs following lobectomy (typically related to increased length of stay). However, the standard used to detect and localize the air leaks, the submersion test, is not suitable for the standard surgical procedure, Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery. Considering the prevalence of this complication and the absence of a surgical standard of care for such complications, the aim of this study is to develop a system to create and send a glycerine aerosol smoke in the lungs of the patient. The smoke is visible with standard laparoscope and will flow though the pulmonary leak, thereby reducing postoperative surgical complications, morbidity, and length of stay for patients undergoing pulmonary resection.