Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Insertion of endobronchial valves for treatment of persistent air leaks.
Description
Persistent air leaks from the lungs can occur after chest surgery or injury, or because of underlying lung disease. Leakage of air into the area between the lung and rib cage can lead to collapse of the lung and difficulty breathing. To prevent this, a chest drain (a tube inserted through the skin and rib cage) may be temporarily used to remove the air. In some cases the air leak does not seal and alternative treatments are needed such as surgery or inserting a foam or gel to seal the leak.
Endobronchial valves are a possible treatment for patients with air leaks for whom the usual treatments have not worked or for those unable to have surgery.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance