Patients with severe lung emphysema Grad III or IV scheduled for an operation by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or open method at the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University Hospital Basel will be pre-screened in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Before the operation, a randomization envelope is opened in the operation room, in which it is specified on which side and with which method the lung tissue will be closed. If bilateral surgery is planned, the other side is automatically closured using the other method. If for example the non-powered AEONTM Endostapler is randomly allocated to the left side, the right side is automatically operated with the Echelon FLEXTM Powered plus Stapler and vice versa. In cases of a unilateral surgery a random stapler as stated in the envelop would be allocated for that side in question. On the day of the operation, postoperative air leak will be measured quantitatively in ml per minute immediately, 2h, 4h, 8h, and 12h after skin closure. Starting on the first postoperative day, this is done twice a day at 8 am and 5 pm until the air leak stops or another surgery must be performed. Cessation of air leak is the case when a value of 0ml/min or two consecutive values under 30 ml/min by use of thoracic drainage Medela- Topaz™ system are read by the investigator.
Prolonged air leak is reported in up to 60 to 75% of patients after lung operation in the presence of severe lung emphysema. The effect of the non-powered AEONTM Endostapler as compared to the Echelon FlexTM Powered plus stapler on the volume and duration of air leak and on the time to chest drain removal after lung operation in the presence of severe lung emphysema will be investigated in a randomized, prospective, single-blinded clinical trial.