Early surgical treatment of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy.
- Author:
Bao-shi ZHANG
1
;
Chang-hai YU
;
Ying LIU
;
Hui XIA
;
Ying-jie LI
;
Nan-nan GUO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Bronchial Fistula; etiology; surgery; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pleura; surgery; Pleural Diseases; etiology; surgery; Pneumonectomy; adverse effects; Pulmonary Surgical Procedures; methods; Time Factors
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2010;30(5):1147-1149
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the method of early surgical treatment of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy.
METHODSTwelve patients (9 males and 3 females with a mean age of 58.6-/+5.7 years) with bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy received a reoperation within 72 h after a definite diagnosis. Empyema was found in none of the 12 cases. Fistula occurred within 4 to 17 days (8 days in average) after the operation. The fistula of the residual main bronchus was resected, and the thoracic cavity was asepticized by flushing.
RESULTSTen patients were discharged with complete healing. One patient was discharged following open drainage with daily change of the wound dress. One patient died due to multiple organ failure. The hospital stay of the patients ranged from 18 to 49 days (31 days in average) after the reoperation.
CONCLUSIONBronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy, in case that empyema and multiple organ failure do not occur, can be healed by closing the fistula with the stapling device in early stage. Flushing the thoracic cavity is also necessary after the reoperation.
