The cost of air leak: physicians' and patients' perspectives.

Air leaks after pulmonary resection remain a common occurrence. The impact, or cost, of a complication such as prolonged air leak differs for patients and the involved health care providers. In both cases, the cost is in part determined by the treatment strategy chosen to deal with the complication. Complication costs extend beyond financial aspects and involve quality and delivery of care, postoperative quality of life, and patient satisfaction.