Safety and efficacy of new staple-line reinforcement in lung resection: a prospective study of 48 patients

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of new staple-line reinforcement (SLR) in pulmonary resection through a prospective study and to compare the results of this study with historical control data in an exploratory study. Methods The subjects of this study were 48 patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. The primary endpoint was air leakage from the staple line. The secondary endpoints were the location of air leakage, duration of air leakage, and postoperative pulmonary complications. Results The incidence of intraoperative air leakage from the staple line was 6.3%. Three patients had prolonged air leakage as a postoperative pulmonary complication. No malfunction was found in patients who underwent SLR with the stapling device. When compared with the historical group, the SLR group had a significantly lower incidence of air leakage from the staple line (6.3% vs. 28.5%, P < 0.001) and significantly shorter indwelling chest drainage time ( P = 0.049) and length of hospital stay ( P < 0.001). Conclusions The use of SLR in pulmonary resection was safe and effective. When compared with conventional products, SLR could control intraoperative air leakage from the staple line and shorten time needed for indwelling chest drainage and the length of hospital stay.