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Postpneumonectomy Bronchopleural Fistula Formation and Surgical Management

Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Turkey 1 Department of Pulmonary Medicine Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine zmir, Turkey

For reprint information contact: Erdem Silistreli, MD Tel: 90 232 277 5867 Fax: 90 232 277 2165 email: silistre{at}cs.med.deu.edu.tr Mithatpasa Cad No. 257/5, Balcova, zmir 35340, Turkey.

Bronchopleural fistulas and empyema are the most challenging problems after lung resection. We reviewed 4 cases of successful surgical treatment of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistulas. Three of the patients had empyema. Primary suturing and pleural decortication were performed in one patient, decortication and fistula repair with additional omentopexy were carried out in the other 3 patients. Recurrence in one patient was successfully treated by thoracoplasty; the others have had no recurrence on follow-up. We recommend aggressive surgical intervention as the most effective treatment for bronchopleural fistula and empyema after pulmonary resection.