RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Air Leak Detection and Treatment

This research aims to improve how doctors detect and treat air leaks in the lung during surgery. Air leaks can sometimes happen after operations like lung removal (pulmonary resection), leading to longer hospital stays and more complications. Researchers are developing a new method using a special bio-adhesive (a type of medical glue) to seal these leaks. The study involves creating a detailed lung model in a lab setting to test and refine these techniques. The ultimate goal is to reduce problems after surgery, help patients recover more quickly, and shorten the time they need to spend in the hospital.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Enrolment target

200

Start

02 May 2023

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2027

Air Leak From Lung

What is this study about?

This study is about improving a specific part of lung surgery. Sometimes, after a lung operation, especially when a piece of the lung is removed, tiny air leaks can occur. These leaks can slow down recovery, lead to extra complications, and mean patients have to stay in the hospital for longer.

Researchers are trying to find better ways to pinpoint exactly where these air leaks are coming from during surgery and how to fix them more effectively. They're focusing on using a special 'bio-adhesive' – a kind of medical glue – to seal any leaks. The main aim is to develop a reliable and consistent method for this process. They believe that by doing this, they can help patients have a smoother recovery, fewer problems after their operation, and ultimately get home sooner.

To achieve this, the scientists are working with donated human lungs that have been removed during transplant surgery. They are setting up these lungs in a special laboratory environment that mimics the body. This allows them to carefully test different techniques for finding and fixing air leaks using the bio-adhesive. They'll examine the lung tissue and take pictures to see which methods work best to create a strong, stable seal. This research is crucial for making lung operations safer and improving patient outcomes in the future.

Key takeaways

The study aims to improve detecting and fixing lung air leaks during surgery.
Researchers are testing a special medical glue (bio-adhesive) to seal leaks.
The goal is to reduce problems and shorten hospital stays after lung operations.
It uses donated human lungs in a lab, not living patients.
Ultimately, this research could make lung surgery safer and recovery faster for future patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for lungs from patients who are having a lung transplant. Specifically, they are interested in the diseased lungs that are removed from the patient during the transplant procedure.

They are also interested in lungs that were donated for transplant but, for various medical reasons, were not suitable for transplantation into a patient.

This study does not involve healthy individuals, and you cannot join if you are a healthy person wanting to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you having a lung transplant, and your diseased lung will be removed?
Are you thinking about donating organs, and your donated lungs might not be suitable for transplant but could be used for research?
Are you NOT a healthy person looking to participate directly in a study?
Are you at least 18 years old?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study does not involve living patients directly. Instead, it uses lungs that have been *removed* from patients during lung transplant surgery, or donated lungs that couldn't be used for transplant. Researchers will work with these donated lungs in a special laboratory setting. They will perform various procedures on these lungs to test ways of detecting and sealing air leaks. Tissue samples will be taken from these lungs, and images will be made. There are no visits, assessments, medications, or follow-ups required for patients, as the participation involves only the donated organs and not the patients themselves.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study only involves working with donated lungs in a lab and not with living patients, there are no direct risks or benefits to individuals. The potential benefit of this research is for future patients undergoing lung surgery, as it aims to improve surgical techniques, reduce complications, and shorten recovery times. As participation for individuals involves organ donation, consenting to donate organs is a personal decision, and you always have the right to withdraw your consent for organ donation at any time, even if you are not directly involved in this specific study.

Locations (1)

CHUM
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an 'air leak' in the lung?

An air leak happens when air escapes from the lung, often after surgery, which can cause problems and delay healing.

What is a 'bio-adhesive'?

A bio-adhesive is like a special, safe medical glue that doctors can use to seal tissues or leaks inside the body.

Will this study help me if I need lung surgery soon?

This study is in a lab setting, so it won't directly affect your current treatment. However, its findings could lead to new and better ways to treat air leaks in the future, benefiting patients like you.

Who is providing the lungs for this research?

The lungs are from patients who are having a lung transplant (the diseased lung that is removed) or from donated lungs that couldn't be used for transplantation, with previous consent for research.

Is this research happening on living people?

No, this study is conducted in a laboratory using donated human lungs, not on living patients.

How to find out more

Moishe Liberman, MD

moishe.liberman@umontreal.ca 514-890-8000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.