A system (100, 200) for detecting and monitoring intrapleural air leaks, comprising: - a drainage system for extracting fluid from a pleural cavity of a patient; - at least one detection unit configured to receive the extracted fluid; - at least one processing unit in communication with the at least one detection unit; and - a user interface in communication with the at least one processing unit, characterised in that: - the at least one detection unit is configured to detect both carbon dioxide present in the fluid and a second substance present in the fluid, wherein the second substance is a non-toxically inhaled substance that is foreign to the human body, - the at least one processing unit is configured to: i) provide a first electrical signal as an initial indicator that an intrapleural air leak exists when the at least one detection unit detects carbon dioxide, and ii) provide a second electrical signal as a confirmation of an existing intrapleural air leak when the at least one detection unit detects the second substance, and - the user interface is configured to: i) provide a first visual and/or audible indication when the first electrical signal is received from the at least one processing unit, and ii) provide a second visual and/or audible indication when the second electrical signal is received from the at least one processing unit. - a drainage system for extracting fluid from a pleural cavity of a patient; - at least one detection unit configured to receive the extracted fluid; - at least one processing unit in communication with the at least one detection unit; and - a user interface in communication with the at least one processing unit, characterised in that: - the at least one detection unit is configured to detect both carbon dioxide present in the fluid and a second substance present in the fluid, wherein the second substance is a non-toxically inhaled substance that is foreign to the human body, - the at least one processing unit is configured to: i) provide a first electrical signal as an initial indicator that an intrapleural air leak exists when the at least one detection unit detects carbon dioxide, and ii) provide a second electrical signal as a confirmation of an existing intrapleural air leak when the at least one detection unit detects the second substance, and i) provide a first electrical signal as an initial indicator that an intrapleural air leak exists when the at least one detection unit detects carbon dioxide, and ii) provide a second electrical signal as a confirmation of an existing intrapleural air leak when the at least one detection unit detects the second substance, and - the user interface is configured to: i) provide a first visual and/or audible indication when the first electrical signal is received from the at least one processing unit, and ii) provide a second visual and/or audible indication when the second electrical signal is received from the at least one processing unit. i) provide a first visual and/or audible indication when the first electrical signal is received from the at least one processing unit, and ii) provide a second visual and/or audible indication when the second electrical signal is received from the at least one processing unit.