AATS 2026 Symposium: Session 2 of 3 with Sebastien Gilbert

This e-learning module is based on the second presentation from the Medela-sponsored AATS 2026 Symposium, Advances in Air Leak Management and Drainage Systems in Pulmonary, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery.

In this session, Sébastien Gilbert, MD (University of Ottawa, Canada) explores the evolving landscape of chest tube management and the increasing role of digital pleural drainage systems in supporting objective, data-driven clinical decision-making. Learners will examine the evidence behind quantitative air leak monitoring, strategies for safe and efficient chest tube removal, and the value of standardized approaches to pleural drainage management. The session also looks ahead to future innovations, including artificial intelligence-powered clinical decision support tools, and considers how these technologies may help extend expert-level care beyond specialized centres while improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Key learning topics:

• The evolution of chest tube management from subjective assessment to data-driven decision-making
• Clinical evidence supporting quantitative air leak monitoring
• Strategies for safe and efficient chest tube removal
• The role of standardized pleural drainage pathways in improving patient care
• Emerging innovations, including AI-powered clinical decision support tools for pleural space management

Continue the symposium series:

• Session 1: Clinical Applications of Endobronchial Valves and Digital Air Leak Measurement in Pulmonary Care with Kai E. Swenson
• Session 3: Cost-effectiveness of Analog vs. Digital Drainage Systems in Cardiac Surgery with Johannes Petersen