Using autologous blood to treat air leaks after lung surgery

Prolonged Air Leakage After Major Lung Resection

Not applicable Interventional Odense University Hospital · NCT05638113

This study is testing if using a patient's own blood can help fix air leaks after lung surgery better than standard chest drainage.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment182 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorOdense University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Odense, Region Syddanmark)
Trial IDNCT05638113 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of autologous blood pleurodesis for treating postoperative air leaks in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either an injection of their own blood into the pleural cavity or standard chest drainage treatment. The study will measure air leak presence using electronic chest tube devices and will follow standard postoperative management protocols. The goal is to determine if this intervention can reduce the duration and severity of air leaks following surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old undergoing elective VATS lobectomy with a postoperative air leak.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, those unwilling to provide consent, trauma patients, and individuals with low blood cell counts may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients experiencing air leaks after lung surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of autologous blood for pleurodesis is established, this specific application in postoperative air leaks is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients \> 18 years of age
* Patients willing to give informed consent
* Patients undergoing VATS lobectomy
* Patients with a postoperative air leak (\> 20ml/min for at least 6 hours).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients \< 18 years of age
* Patients not willing to give informed consent
* Trauma patients
* Hypotensive patients and patients with a low blood cell count (anemia, thrombocytopenia)

Where this trial is running

Odense, Region Syddanmark

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Postoperative Air LeakBlood pleurodesis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.