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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1999;15:7-10
© 1999 Elsevier Science NL

The threshold for air leak: stapled versus sutured human bronchi, an experimental study

^a Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 LT, UK
^b Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heartland Hospital, Birmingham, UK
^c Department of Thoracic Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Norwich, UK

Received 13 May 1998; received in revised form 28 September 1998; accepted 11 November 1998.

Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-61-998-7070; fax: +44-61-291-2091.

Background: Little is known about the integrity of staple-closure of the bronchus and its tolerance to normal mechanical stresses (cough, sneezing, etc.) in the immediate early post-operative period. There are few studies which tested the mechanical strength of stapled bronchial closure compared with manually closed bronchi using the threshold for fluid leak across the bronchial suture line which differs from air. Material and methods: Intact cadaveric tracheobronchial tree (n=40) were selected, age range from 55 to 70, of which 60% were males. They were divided into two groups: group A, 20 left bronchi were closed with RLV 30 Ethicon® 4.8 mm bronchial stapler; group B, 20 were closed with 4 0 Prolene® simple interrupted sutures. All specimens were intubated with endotracheal tube and submerged under water before testing the immediate air leak with the standard 40 mm Hg inflation pressure. Inflation pressure was increased until air leak was detected. The stapled closures were resected and subjected to radiological examination. Results: No air leak was detected in any bronchus at 40 mmHg regardless of the closure technique. The median leakage pressure was significantly higher in the hand sutured bronchi compared to the stapled group (200 vs. 105 mmHg, respectively) and 50% (n=10) leaked from multiple sites in the stapled group compared with leakage from one site only in group B, this difference was statistically significant P<0.001. The radiological appearance of the staples maintained the B configuration, recommended by the manufacturer as a sign of sound application. Conclusion: Hand sutured bronchi tolerated higher inflation pressure compared with the stapled ones before leaking air. Air leak at high pressure occurs in the presence of intact staples.

Key Words: Bronchial fistula • Bronchial closure • Suture versus staples • mechanical factors

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