Aerostasis to limit air leak following extended pleurectomy-decortication

Abstract

Extended pleurectomy-decortication is a cytoreductive surgical treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Prolonged air leak remains a major postoperative challenge, lengthening hospital stay and increasing morbidity. In this video report, we present a stepwise approach for visceral decortication and introduce the concept of aerostasis by construction of an artificial neopleura. Our results suggest that improved aerostasis results in shortened air leak duration.

Keywords: Aerostasis; Extended pleurectomy–decortication; Malignant pleural mesothelioma; Neopleura; Prolonged air leak; Visceral decortication.