Risk factors for prolonged air leak after pulmonary surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to comprehensively identify risk factors for the occurrence of prolonged air leak (PAL) in patients undergoing pulmonary surgery. Studies were retrieved from 3 databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and EmBase up to 13 May 2020. We performed meta-analysis using Bayesian random effect models through divergence restricting conditional tessellation (DIRECT) algorithm. The effect size was expressed as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD), each with 95% credible interval (CrI). The evidence quality was evaluated. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted. Thirty-nine studies with 89006 patients were finally included. Pooled PAL incidence was 15%. Of 30 risk factors, 22 were significantly associated with increased PAL incidence. Five risk factors were ultimately selected with high evidence quality: smoking history (OR 1.84, 95%CrI 1.45 to 2.31, P