Abstract
Objective: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF), a common and severe complication of lobectomy or pneumonectomy, is associated with a high rate of mortality. BPF is difficult to manage and prone to recurrence. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bronchoscopic placement of ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluders in the treatment of BPF.
Methods: Routine bronchoscopy was performed first to confirm the location of the fistulas, and an extraction balloon was utilized to probe the target bronchus in case of fistulas invisible to bronchoscopic view. After that, VSD occluders were placed with bronchoscopic guidance in the fistulas or the target bronchus inflicted with fistulas.
Results: Eight VSD occluders were placed in five male patients whose mean age was 52.4 years (range: 29–65 years). BPF of the patients occurred after lobectomies (3 cases) and pneumonectomies (2 cases)for the treatment of lung cancer (3 cases) and tuberculosis (2 cases). VSD occluders were successfully placed in all the patients and the thoracic drainage tubes were removed as planned after the procedures. Symptoms related to BPF were relieved following the closure by the VSD occluders, and complications such as hemoptysis, infection, and VSD occluder displacement did not occur in any one case.
Conclusions: Bronchoscopic placement of VSD occluders for BPF closure is safe and effective. The VSD occluders could be placed either in the fistula or in the bronchus corresponding to the fistula. Compared with surgical operation, it is less expensive, less invasive and easier to perform, and therefore is promising in the management of BPF.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, OA1619.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019