Standardized Approach to Prolonged Air Leak Reduction After Pulmonary Resection

Use of STAR for pulmonary resection, particularly for lobectomies, shows decreased postoperative prolonged air leaks when compared with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database. This aggressive approach did not lead to air leak-related hospital readmissions nor compromise postoperative mortality. The STAR protocol is an innovative strategy that has the potential to improve postoperative pulmonary resection outcomes.