Clinical evaluation of endoscopic bronchial occlusion with silicone spigots for the management of persistent pulmonary air leaks

Pleurodesis with a 50% glucose solution in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax in whom an operation is contraindicated

PURPOSE

Pleurodesis continues to play a central role in the management of pneumothorax. In our institute, a 50% glucose solution is used for pleurodesis. We retrospectively analysed the treatment effects of pleurodesis in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax in whom an operation was contraindicated because of underlying disease.

METHODS

13 patients (18 cases) with spontaneous pneumothorax were treated with pleurodesis with a 50% glucose solution. After local anesthesia of parietal pleura, 200 to500 mL of a 50% glucose solution was instilled into the pleural space. Pleurodesis was repeated two or three times, until the air leakage stopped.

RESULTS

Air leakage stopped in all cases and there were no treatment-related deaths.Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after treatment were 83%, 74%, and 49%, respectively. Post-treatment recurrence was observed in six cases. Four cases of recurrence were treated with pleurodesis with a 50% glucose solution. All cases of recurrence occurred within 3 months after pleurodesis.

CONCLUSION

Pleurodesis with a 50% glucose solution is effective and safe in patients with pneumothorax. This procedure can be performed in patients with recurrent pneumothorax as well as patients with a first episode of pneumothorax in whom prolonged air leakage is predicted.

Temporary endobronchial embolization with silicone spigots for moderate hemoptysis: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The management of airway bleeding is generally performed in an emergency to prevent hypoxemia and lung flooding. When the bleeding arises from peripheral lesions that are not visible endoscopically, bronchoscopic options have limited curative intents. Endobronchial embolization using silicone spigots (EESS) is a novel approach.

OBJECTIVES

We analyzed the efficacy and safety of EESS in a retrospective study.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients referred to our center for moderate hemoptysis (MH) who underwent EESS. Successful management is defined as immediate bleeding cessation.

RESULTS

From December 2008 to January 2012, 9 patients were treated with EESS in our endoscopy unit. The MH originated from the left upper lobe in 4 cases, the right upper lobe in 3 cases and the right middle lobe and left lower lobe in 1 case each. Thirteen spigots were inserted. The success rate was 78%. Of the 9 patients, 7 were referred to interventional radiology for bronchial artery embolization, with a success rate of 86%, and 2 were referred for thoracic surgery. One patient had EESS as definitive treatment; the silicone spigots were bronchoscopically removed after a median of 4 days in 6 of the remaining 8 patients. Only 2 patients had hemoptysis recurrence after a median follow-up of 107 days (ranging from 13 to 1,017 days). None of the patients died from hemoptysis.

CONCLUSION

EESS is an original, temporary technique that requires only a flexible bronchoscope and biopsy forceps for placement and removal. EESS ensures airway protection while waiting for definitive management.

Endobronchial Watanabe spigot embolisation in the treatment of bronchopleural fistula due to tuberculous empyema in intensive care unit

Tuberculosis may be complicated with empyema and fistula in patients with cellular immune deficiency. The case presented was a 39-year-old male patient with diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis developed hydropneumothorax while taking steroid and immunosuppressive treatment and examination of pleural fluid revealed acid-fast bacilli. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure and underwent bronchoscopic examination due to air leakage. The right middle lobe was obliterated by using an endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS), and the amount of leakage decreased considerably after the procedure. On day 7, chest tube drainage was removed, and empyema was drained with a Pezzer drain. On day 50, upon the cessation of empyema drainage, spigots were removed with rigid and flexible bronchoscope. In conclusion, EWS use in the treatment of bronchopleural fistula is an effective, safe and a reversible procedure.