RecruitingInterventional

A study testing different treatments to help stop air leaks from collapsed lung

This study investigates different ways to treat air leaks from a collapsed lung, especially in people with existing lung conditions. When air gets trapped between the lung and chest wall, it's called a pneumothorax. Standard treatment usually involves a chest drain, but sometimes the air keeps leaking for days. This study will explore if applying suction, placing special valves in the lung, or using a small amount of the patient's own blood can stop these leaks. The goal is to see if a bigger study is possible to find the most effective treatment for this problem, potentially helping many future patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

North Bristol NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

15 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

22 Sep 2027

Persistent air-leak

What is this study about?

Imagine your lung is like a balloon. Sometimes, if you have certain lung conditions, air can escape from your lung and get trapped in the space between your lung and the inside of your chest. This causes your lung to deflate, or 'collapse'. Doctors normally insert a small tube into your chest to help this trapped air escape.

However, sometimes, even with the tube in place, the air keeps leaking for more than two days. This is called a persistent air leak. Doctors aren't sure which treatment works best to stop these leaks, and waiting for the lung to heal on its own can take a long time.

This study wants to find out if it's possible to run a larger study to compare different treatments for these persistent air leaks. The results could help doctors understand the best way to help patients with this problem in the future.

Key takeaways

The study investigates treatments for persistent air leaks in collapsed lungs.
It aims to find the best way to help people with ongoing air leaks.
Treatments include suction, lung valves, and using your own blood.
You might not personally benefit, but it will help future patients.
All study treatments are already used in the NHS.
Your involvement will be for 90 days.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to join this study if you are in hospital because you have a collapsed lung where air is still leaking, and you have certain lung problems or are over 50 with a history of smoking. The air leak must have been ongoing for at least two days after a drain was put in.

However, you won't be able to join if you have collapsed lungs on both sides, or if your collapsed lung was caused by an injury or a medical procedure. You also need to be 18 years old or older and be able to give your consent to take part in the study.

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 in hospital with a collapsed lung?
Has the air leak been going on for at least 2 days?
Do you have an existing lung condition, or are you over 50 with a smoking history?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Can you understand and agree to take part in the study yourself?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, your initial treatment will depend on what group you are randomly assigned to. Half of the participants will receive treatment using a method called 'suction' to help remove the air, while the other half will receive 'usual care' without suction. If the air leak hasn't stopped after an additional three days, you might then receive one of three further treatments: special non-return valves placed in your lung, a small amount of your own blood injected into your chest area to seal the leak, or simply continued 'usual care' where doctors wait for the lung to heal naturally. If your air leak still hasn't stopped 10 days after starting the study, your doctor might discuss other treatment options with you. You'll complete two short questionnaires: one after you agree to join (consent), another seven days into the study, and a final one at a follow-up visit around 90 days after you started the study. Your total involvement in the study will be for 90 days.

Potential risks and benefits

You might not personally get direct health benefits from taking part in this study. However, the information gathered will be very valuable and will help doctors understand the best ways to treat people with persistent air leaks in the future. All the treatments used in this study – suction, endobronchial valves, autologous blood patch, and no additional treatment – are standard approaches already used in the NHS for suitable patients. They each have some evidence to support their use. As with any medical treatment, there are potential small risks or side effects, which your doctor will discuss fully with you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (7)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

North Bristol NHS Trust
City only
Bristol, England
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
City only
Leicester, England
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Middlesbrough, England
Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
City only
London, England
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Manchester, England
St Georges Hospital
Unverified
London, England
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Unverified
Plymouth, England

Common questions

What is a 'collapsed lung'?

A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, happens when air gets trapped between your lung and the inside of your chest, causing the lung to deflate.

What is a 'persistent air leak'?

It means air keeps escaping from your lung for more than two days, even after standard treatments like a chest drain have been started.

What are 'endobronchial valves'?

These are small, one-way valves that doctors can place inside your lung using a thin tube. They help block the air leak.

What is an 'autologous blood patch'?

This is a treatment where doctors take a small amount of your own blood and inject it near the air leak to help seal it up.

Will I have to pay to take part?

No, this study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, so you will not have to pay to participate.

How to find out more

Steven Walker

steven.walker@bristol.ac.uk +44 117 414 8114 Official trial record

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