Successful management of a large bronchopleural fistula after lobectomy: Report of a case

Management of stent-related tracheoesophageal fistula in complex post-tuberculosis tracheobronchial stenosis: A case report

Background

The covered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) have been used to manage benign tracheobronchial stenosis, especially the complex post-tuberculosis (TB) tracheobronchial stenosis (PTTS) with cartilage destruction or malacia. This procedure could lead to stent-related tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).

Case presentation

A 21-year-old woman, who had one covered Y-shaped SEMS inserted to manage complex PTTS 2 years ago, presented with dyspnea and frequent coughing on drinking water. The bronchoscopy confirmed extensive granulation tissue hyperplasia and a TEF on the upper edge of the covered SEMS. The covered SEMS was removed in three steps, and another fully covered Y-shape SEMS (Microtech Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China) was inserted to restore patency in the tracheobronchial tree and occlude the TEF orifice. Recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) (6,000 IU/time) was sprayed into and around the fistula through the V-System single-use cannula via the flexible bronchoscope every other week. The patient showed sustained clinical and radiographic improvement, and the TEF healed.

Conclusion

We presented a three-step bronchoscopic approach to managing a stent-related TEF in a patient with complex PTTS. Subsequently, regular bronchoscopic debridement of granulation tissue developing on the upper edge of SEMS is necessary to maintain the stent patency and reduce the risk of recurrent stent-related TEF. A fully covered SEMS associated with the local administration of rbFGF seems to offer an alternative simplified one-stage procedure for the temporary management of TEF combined with complex PTTS in non-surgical candidates.

A Large Central Bronchopleural Fistula Closed by Bronchoscopic Administration of Recombinant Bovine Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor: A Case Report

A large central bronchopleural fistula (BPF) surrounded by mediastinal tissue was successfully closed by local administration of recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) using the bronchoscope. No complications were observed during and after this bronchoscopic treatment. This is the first report of the bronchoscopic treatment of a large central BPF by the local spray of rbFGF. The bronchoscopic treatment with rbFGF is a potentially cost-effective method for central BPF surrounded by mediastinal tissue.

Thoracoscopic surgery using omental flap for bronchopleural fistula

Background

A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) can lead to empyema and death after pulmonary resection. A minor leakage from a BPF has been reported to be successfully closed endobronchially, although thoracoplasty is usually needed.

Case presentation

A case of successful thoracoscopic BPF closure using an omental flap in a 74-year-old man with emphysema who developed a BPF after right lower lobectomy for lung cancer is reported. Reoperation was performed to close the BPF using an omental flap. After successful closure of the BPF, the empyema resolved with intravenous antibiotics.

Conclusions

Thoracoscopic single-stage omentoplasty without thoracotomy might be a useful treatment method when a BPF is diagnosed early.

Pulmonary inhalation-perfusion scintigraphy in the evaluation of bronchoscopic treatment of bronchopleural fistula

Objective

To evaluate the use of pulmonary inhalation-perfusion scintigraphy as an alternative method of investigation and follow-up in patients with bronchopleural fistula (BPF).

Materials and Methods

Nine patients with BPFs were treated through the off-label use of a transcatheter atrial septal defect occluder, placed endoscopically, and were followed with pulmonary inhalation-perfusion scintigraphy, involving inhalation, via a nebulizer, of 900-1300 MBq (25-35 mCi) of technetium-99m-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and single-photon emission computed tomography with a dual-head gamma camera.

Results

In two cases, there was a residual air leak that was not identified by bronchoscopy or the methylene blue test but was detected only by pulmonary inhalation-perfusion scintigraphy. Those results correlated with the evolution of the patients, both of whom showed late signs of air leak, which confirmed the scintigraphy findings. In the patients with complete resolution of symptoms and fistula closure seen on bronchoscopy, the scintigraphy was completely negative. In cases of failure to close the BPF, the scintigraphy confirmed the persistence of the air leak. In two patients, scintigraphy was the only method to show residual BPF, the fistula no longer being seen on bronchoscopy.

Conclusion

We found pulmonary inhalation-perfusion scintigraphy to be a useful tool for identifying a residual BPF, as well as being an alternative method of investigating BPFs and of monitoring the affected patients.

[Omentum Transplantation in Thorax to Cover Bronchial Stump as Treatment of Bronchopleural Fistula After Pulmonary Resection: Report of 6 Cases' Experience]

背景与目的

支气管胸膜瘘（bronchopleural fistula, BPF）是胸外科肺切除术后常见并发症，临床治疗复杂且效果不佳。对于肺切除术后支气管胸膜瘘的处理一直困扰着胸外科医生。总结我院胸外科中心予大网膜胸腔移植覆盖支气管残端治疗肺切除术后出现BPF的临床资料，分析出现BPF的原因，总结外科治疗的方法，探讨其可行性、安全性及小样本的成功率。

方法

2016年8月-2018年2月，我中心对接受肺切除术后发生BPF的患者6例，进行再次开胸补救性手术、大网膜胸腔内移植覆盖支气管残端治疗。2例首次手术行肺叶切除（分别为右肺上叶及中下叶切除，再次手术均行患侧残肺切除，直线切割器缝合主支气管），4例首次手术行全肺切除（左右各2例）。术中予4-0微荞线修补主支气管残端后于心膈角处打开膈肌将大网膜移植入胸腔内后覆盖支气管残端。S术后予生理盐水浸泡胸腔。回顾分析上述6例患者的临床资料，总结该术式治疗肺切除术后BPF的临床效果。

结果

6例均为男性，中位年龄66岁（61岁-73岁）；术后发生BPF中位时间为术后25天（10天-45天）。再次手术中位时间为110 min（80 min-150 min），术中中位出血量450 mL（200 mL-1, 000 mL），再次手术后住院时间中位天数14天（12天-17天）。6例患者术后均恢复良好痊愈出院，支气管残端闭合良好，成功率为100%。随访1个月-18个月各病例均未再出现BPF相关并发症。

结论

肺切除术后发生BPF，如患者全身情况尚可耐受手术，应尽早行补救性手术，带蒂大网膜瓣容易获取，胸腔内移植覆盖支气管残端疗效确切可靠，值得临床推广应用。

Analysis of Pneumonectomy for Benign Disease: A Single Institution Retrospective Study on 59 Patients

INTRODUCTION

Pneumonectomy is the only curative treatment for some benign diseases but the operation is a challenging procedure. Herein, we present our experiences of pneumonectomy for 59 patients.

METHODS

The medical records of 59 patients who undergone pneumonectomy for benign lung diseases from 2008 to 2013 at the Division of Thoracic Surgery in Beijing Chest Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 23 male and 36 female patients. Three procedures including pneumonectomy, pleuropneumonectomy and completion pneumonectomy were used. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss were statistically different in the patients who undergone different operations. The operative time of the patients with and without tuberculosis had no difference but the intraoperative blood loss was more in the patients with tuberculosis (P = 0.035). The operative type, age and operative blood loss were relevant with the morbidity, the P value were 0.024, 0.042 and 0.027 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumonectomy for patients with benign disease may be more difficult than for patients with lung cancer, mean while pleuropneumonectomy and completion pneumonectomy may be greater challenges. But with careful patient selection and operative technique, it is a satisfactory treatment method for benign lung disease. The morbidity is acceptable and associated with operative type, age and operative blood loss.

Analysis of the surgical treatment of endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB)

PURPOSE

Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is defined as tuberculosis infection of the tracheobronchial tree. EBTB may require aggressive treatment, including lung resection, because of severe bronchostenosis and its complications, despite formal anti-TB chemotherapy. We present our experience of treating 25 patients with EBTB.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 25 patients with EBTB treated between 2002 and 2012 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery in Beijing Chest Hospital.

RESULTS

All 25 patients (5 male, 20 female) underwent surgery for fibrostenotic type EBTB. Bronchoscopy showed fibrostenotic change in all patients and a cough was the most common symptom. Postoperatively, all patients were given anti-TB therapy to take for 6-9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

EBTB tends to occur at a higher incidence in young women. Surgery may be required for severe bronchostenosis and its complications and should be performed for symptomatic fibrostenotic type EBTB. During the operation, attention should be paid to prevent severe complications and postoperative anti-TB therapy is mandatory.