Preoperative variables for predicting prolonged air leak following pulmonary resection

We read with great interest the study by Murakami et al. recently published in Ann Thorac Surg. regarding grading of emphysema for predicting a prolonged air leak (PAL) following a lobectomy (1). One of the most common causes of complications and protracted hospital stay in patients who have received a pulmonary resection is PAL, which can cause distress, anxiety, and pain, as well as other complications, and also increases the risk of other cardiopulmonary complications and empyema.