Autologous blood patch for persistent air leak in children

The Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Blood Patch for Persistent Air Leaks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Persistent air leaks (PALs) are associated with prolonged hospital stays, contamination and sustained infection of the pleural space, and significant morbidity. A fistulous tract between the alveoli and the pleural space is referred to as an alveolar-pleural fistula (APF), whereas a fistulous tract between the bronchiole and the pleural space is referred to as a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). There is no consensus on the treatment, and multiple modalities exist for the management of persistent air leak (PAL). Autologous blood patch (ABP) is a relatively safe and inexpensive method that has been used for many years for the treatment of PALs. We conducted an electronic database search between 08/24/2022 and 08/27/2022 in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane using keywords. The following keywords were used: "Blood patch" OR "Autologous blood patch" AND "pleurodesis." Our study included all original studies with the prime focus on the etiology of PALs, clinical characteristics, procedural details of ABP, and outcomes of the proposed treatment. The primary outcomes that were the focus of our study were the time to seal the air leak, the time to remove the chest tube after air leak cessation, and the time to discharge from the hospital. To determine the safety of ABP, we also evaluated the procedural outcomes. Our findings suggest a statistically significant decrease in the time to air leak cessation when compared to the control group (mean difference of -3.75 {95% CI: -5.65 to -1.85; P=0.001}) with considerable heterogeneity of I²=85% and P=0.001. However, the difference was not statistically significant when a lower dose of ABP (50 mL) was compared to a higher dose (100 mL) (mean difference of 1.48 {95% CI: -0.07 to 3.02; P=0.06}) and considerable heterogeneity of I²=80% and P=0.03. There was no statistically significant difference in the time to discharge when compared to the control group (mean difference of -2.12 {95% CI: -4.83 to 0.59; P=0.13}) and considerable heterogeneity (I²=95% and P<0.001). When compared to the control group, ABP did not provide any statistically significant difference in the risk ratio for infection (1.18 {95% CI: 0.52 to 2.65; P=0.70} and moderate heterogeneity {I²=33% and P=0.20}), pain (1.18 {95% CI: 0.52 to 2.65; P=0.70} and moderate heterogeneity {I²=33% and P=0.20}), and fever (0.54 {95% CI: 0.27 to 1.10; P=0.09} and no heterogeneity {I²=0% and P=0.50}). Our study concludes that using ABP caused a statistically significant decrease in the time to air leak cessation when compared to the control group. However, the procedure does not provide a statistically significant difference in the time to discharge from the hospital when compared to conservative treatment. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk ratio for complications such as infection, pain, and fever when compared to conservative management. More studies need to be conducted to fully understand the efficacy and safety of ABP in the management of PALs.

Neonatal pneumothorax from the perspective of a pediatric surgeon: classification and management protocol: a preliminary algorithm

Background/aim

Current neonatal pneumothorax classifications based on air volume escaping in pleural space have no contribution on the treatment. Therefore, our aim was to classify neonatal pneumothorax to guide treatment management based on our experiences.

Material and methods

The records of all neonates admitted to our clinics from March 2017 to August 2020 were reviewed. The patients with pneumothorax were identified through the neonatology department patient database search. The study only included the patients with symptomatic pneumothorax and these patients were evaluated into 3 groups based on the changes in peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and clinical features immediately after the tube thoracostomy (TT) procedure. Accordingly, neonatal pneumothorax was divided into 3 types: patients with SpO2 increasing immediately after TT were included in type I, patients whose SpO2 did not change after TT were included in type II, and patients with SpO2 decreasing immediately after TT were included in type III pneumothorax.

Results

A total of 82 patients were included in the study. Sixty-one percent of these patients had type I, 24% had type II, and 15% had type III pneumothorax. None of the neonates died in type I and II pneumothoraces while 9 of 12 neonates (75%) died within the neonatal period in type III pneumothorax. Although we applied treatments such as high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, selective intubation, continuous negative aspiration, and surgical treatment to our patients that were lost due to type III pneumothorax, we were not successful. We successfully managed our surviving type III pneumothorax patients with a simple pressure cycle ventilator, using a combination of high rates, modest peak airway pressures [18 to 22 cm H2O and no positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)], and an autologous blood patch.

Conclusion

Classification of pneumothoraces into different types significantly contributes to patient treatment planning through a predetermined strategy, not through trial-and-error. High frequency and zero PEEP ventilation can provide significant improvement in risky cases.

Early use of autologous blood patch pleurodesis in children is successful in resolving persistent air leaks

PURPOSE

Experience with autologous blood patch (ABP) pleurodesis for persistent air leak in the pediatric population is limited. The purpose of this series was to describe the experience with ABP at a single tertiary children's hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed of all thoracic procedures done by the pediatric surgery service over three years.

RESULTS

Ten patients underwent a total of 17 ABPs. The median age of patients was 12 years (IQR 6-16). The most common underlying reasons for a thoracic procedure included: blebectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax (2), need for lung biopsy (2), resection of known malignant tumor (2), and empyema (2). The median number of days of persistent air leak before first ABP was 7.5 days (IQR 7-10). A second ABP was performed in 6 cases with a third procedure performed in one case. None of the patients developed respiratory compromise during ABP and no infectious complications were identified following ABP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our cohort demonstrates that ABP for persistent air leak following thoracic surgery is effective with minimal morbidity in children. We believe ABP can be used early and in patients with a broad range of underlying lung pathology.

A first case report of neonatal persistent pneumothorax treated with an autologous blood patch

Pneumothorax is the most common type of air leak. Although the majority of pneumothoraces resolves spontaneously, some continue several days after the lung injury. Autologous blood patch pleurodesis is the most commonly used technique in the treatment of persistent pneumothorax. The use of an autologous blood patch in persistent pneumothorax in neonates has not been reported before. We report the first case of newborn persistent pneumothorax successfully treated with an autologous blood patch. The patient was a newborn aged 2 days. He was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit due to subcostal-intercostal retractions after birth. Chest X-ray was performed and pneumothorax was detected on the right side. Persistence of the air leak led to treatment with an autologous blood patch on day 17 of pneumothorax development. Pleurodesis was repeated on days 3 and 6 of the first autologous blood patch, respectively. Air leak sealed within 2 days after the third autologous blood patch. In our opinion, this procedure is safe and effective when performed with the correct technique, and can also be used safely in newborns.

Allogenic blood patch pleurodesis for continuous pneumothorax in three cats

Case series summary

Following diaphragmatic herniorrhaphy, three cats developed a continuous pneumothorax. All three cats required continuous suction to evacuate air from the thoracic cavity. Despite continuous suction, the pneumothorax persisted for all cats and blood patch pleurodesis (BPP) was performed using blood donor cats. All three cats had resolution of their pneumothorax within 24 h of BPP.

Relevance and novel information

This is the first report of BPP used in feline patients. More recently autologous BPP has been reported for use in dogs and humans, with a reportedly high success rate. BPP may allow timely resolution of continuous pneumothorax in cats and provide an alternative treatment option to prolonged medical management or surgical intervention. Allogenic blood from a donor cat may be necessitated in feline BPP when cardiovascular instability is appreciated in these small patients.

New method in treatment of post-operative air leakage with fresh frozen plasma

BACKGROUND

No consensus regarding the best post-operative treatment option for air leak has been established. In this study, we evaluate the use of intra-pleural fresh frozen plasma (FFP) as a promising treatment method.

METHODS

Treatment for a sustained air leak (3 days) was warranted in approximately 12% of the lung surgeries at our institution. Fifty-two patients were treated with FFP by application of 250 mL daily. The patients were divided into two cohorts: cohort 1 consisted of 35 patients undergoing anatomical lung resections and cohort 2 consisted of 17 patients after miscellaneous types of lung surgery. Successfulness of the procedure as well as the potential influential factors was evaluated statistically and validated by a bootstrapping. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve was used to establish a cut-off value of the predictor.

RESULTS

In the first cohort, air leakage was successfully treated in 28 (80%), while in seven (20%) it was still present after third treatment with FFP. The success rate in cohort 2 was 76.5%. The only covariate which appeared to remain significant in both cohorts was flow as displayed on the digital suction device prior to application of FFP. Flow ≤375 mL/min was indicative of successful aerostasis.

CONCLUSION

Intra-pleural instillation of FFP seems to be a feasible method for the treatment of post-operative air leakage. Although the optimum strategy regarding its application as well as its limitations is yet to be established, an absence of complications or undesirable events makes this (off label) method a safe and promising alternative to existing options.

Use of autologous blood patch for prolonged air leak in spontaneous pneumothoraces in the adolescent population

Instillation of an autologous blood patch for prolonged air leak (PAL) in chest tube system has been studied and determined to be a safe and effective treatment plan for adults. The current recommended treatment guidelines for a PAL in adolescent secondary to a spontaneous pneumothorax are surgical intervention. This paper serves as documentation of two case reports with successful treatment of PALs with autologous blood patch in two adolescent patients.

Trans-rectal Ultrasound-Guided Autologous Blood Injection in the Interprostatorectal Space Prior to Percutaneous MRI-Guided Cryoablation of the Prostate

OBJECTIVE

To report a novel technique of ultrasound-guided injection of autologous blood in the interprostatorectal space, in an attempt to facilitate ablative prostatic procedures by widening durably the space between the rectum and the prostate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April and November 2016, four consecutive patients underwent the haemoprotection injection technique. For each patient, we recorded the time to perform the technique, the amount of injected blood, the achieved distances between the rectum and the prostate post-injection at fixed defined points (apex, middle, and base of prostate at the midline, left, and right sides of the gland), the extension of the ice ball outside the prostate capsule at those fixed points, and whether any residual blood was present on 1-month follow-up MRI.

RESULTS

Mean time to perform haemoprotection injection was 54 min, with an average blood volume of 103 cc. Mean distance achieved at the apex, middle, and base of the prostate, respectively, was 12, 13, and 16 mm in the midline; 8, 10, and 13 mm on the left side; and 9, 10, and 13 mm on the right side. The mean extension distance of the ice ball beyond the capsule was 4, 6, and 6 mm in the midline; 4, 5, and 6 mm on the left side; and 1, 3, and 3 mm on the right side. No residual blood was present on 1-month follow-up MRI in all patients. No rectal fistula occurred.

CONCLUSION

Haemoprotection may create a safe and effective virtual space between the prostate and rectum.