Ex Vivo Modeling of Perioperative Air Leaks in Porcine Lungs

Objective: A novel ex vivo model is described to advance the understanding of prolonged air leaks, one of the most common postoperative complications following thoracic resection procedures.

Methods: As an alternative to in vivo testing, an ex vivo model simulating the various physiologic environments experienced by an isolated lung during the perioperative period was designed and built. Isolated porcine lungs were perfused and ventilated during open chest and closed chest simulations, mimicking intra and postoperative ventilation conditions. To assess and validate system capabilities, nine porcine lungs were tested by creating a standardized injury to create an approximately 250 cc/min air leak. Air leak rates, physiologic ventilation, and perfusion parameters were continuously monitored, while gas transfer analysis was performed on selected lungs. Segmental ventilation was monitored using electrical impedance tomography.

Results: The evaluated lungs produced flow-volume and pressure-volume loops that approximated standard clinical representations under positive (mechanical) and negative (physiological) pressure ventilation modalities. Leak rate was averaged across the ventilation phases, and sharp increases in leak rate were observed between positive and negative pressure phases, suggesting that differences or changes in ventilation mechanics may strongly influence leak development.

Conclusion: The successful design and validation of a novel ex vivo lung model was achieved. Model output paralleled clinical observations. Pressure modality may also play a significant role in air leak severity.

Significance: This work provides a foundation for future studies aimed at increasing the understanding of air leaks to better inform means of mitigating the risk of air leaks under clinically relevant conditions.