Intraoperative use of N‐butyl cyanoacrylate for the management of pneumothorax secondary to small air leaks in pulmonary surgery

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical application and outcome associated with the intraoperative use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate for managing small air leaks following lung lobectomies, lung lacerations and pulmonary bullae in a cohort of eight dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical and surgical records of eight client-owned dogs were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the intraoperative use of topical N-butyl cyanoacrylate adhesive in pulmonary surgery. Data on intra- and postoperative complications, hospitalisation time, thoracostomy tube output, duration of thoracostomy tube placement and outcome were assessed. RESULTS: Eight dogs were included in the study, with a total of ten applications of N-butyl cyanoacrylate: seven applied directly to bullae (Dogs 1, 3 and 4) or parenchymal lacerations (Dogs 5-8) and two used to reinforce staple lines (Dogs 2 and 5). All dogs survived to discharge. The median duration of hospitalisation was 3 days, while thoracostomy tubes remained in situ for a median of 1 day. No complications associated with the use of adhesive were reported at the latest follow-up. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The intraoperative use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate adhesive provided effective management of small air leaks (<7 mm) across various clinical scenarios, either as an adjunctive or as a primary intervention. Further studies are needed to assess its long-term biocompatibility and refine application techniques.