Abstract： Objective To evaluate the effect of 100% carbolic acid via bronchofiberscope for the treatment of bron- chopleural fistula. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 12 patients with postoperative bronchopleural fistula in Liaoning Tumor Hospital from February 2009 to March 2012. There were 11 male patients and 1 female patient with their average age of 58.0 （45-71） years. All the patients had primary lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma in 8 patients and adenocarcinoma in 4 patients， central lung cancer in 8 patients and peripheral lung cancer in 4 patients. Three patients were after right total pneumonectomy， 6 patients were after left total pneumonectomy， 2 patients were after right middle and lower lobectomy， and 1 patient was after left upper lobectomy. All the patients received 100% carbolic acid instillation via bronchofiberscope， and 0.5-1.0 ml carbolic acid solution was instilled on the mucosal surface around the fistula each time. The presence of bubbles in thoracic drainage was observed. If some bubbles remained, such treatment was repeated after 1 week. The effectiveness was analyzed. Results All the 12 patients were cured after carbolic acid treatment, including 8 patients after 5 times of carbolic acid instillation， 2 patients after 7 times of carbolic acid instillation， and 2 patients after 2 times of carbolic acid instillation. The average time for fistula closure was 33 days. All the patients were treated in our outpatient clinic except 2 patients who were too weak but cured after 42 days and 50 days of hospitalization respectively. Conclusion The use of 100% carbolic acid instillation via bronchofiberscope can provide satisfactory clinical outcomes for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula.
ObjectiveTo introduce implantation methods of different types of congenital heart disease occluder for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) and its preliminary efficacy.MethodsThree patients who diagnosed with BPF and treated by congenital heart disease occluder were reviewed. The clinical data was analyzed after comprehensively reviewing of relevant literature.ResultsAll the three patients were treated with postoperative BPF and empyema. The diameter of the fistula ranged from 3 to 8 mm. We used occlusive devices for congenital heart diseases such as atrial septum (ASD), ventricular septum (VSD) defect or patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), respectively. After treatment, all three patients were cured of BPF and empyema caused by BPF in a short time, and the thoracic drainage tube was successfully removed. During the follow-up period from 7 to 25 months, no significant long-term complications were observed.ConclusionThe use of ASD, VSD and PDA occluder for the treatment of BPF with a fistula more than 3 mm is effective and safe.
Objective To explore the safety and efficacy for patients with central airway-pleural fistula (APF) treated by atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder. Methods This was a retrospective study. Between January 2017 and October 2021, a total of 16 patients with postoperative APF were treated with ASD occluder through bronchoscope under local anesthesia combined with sedation. The efficacy and complication were recorded during and after the procedure. Results Sixteen patients were recruited in this study and the average age was 60.7 years (range 31 - 74 years). The main etiology for APF was lobectomy/segmentectomy (n=12), pneumonectomy (n=2), radical esophagectomy (n=1) or decortication for chronic empyema (n=1). Totally, 4 fistulas were located in right main bronchus, 3 in left main bronchus, 3 in right upper bronchus, 1 in right middle bronchus, 2 in right lower bronchus and 3 in left upper bronchus. The median diameter of APF was 7.8 mm (ranged from 4 to 18 mm) and the median diameter of ASD occluder inserted was 10.0 mm (ranged from 6 to 20 mm). Successful occlusion of APF was observed in 15 patients (15/16) and 1 patient died of multiple organ failure caused by bacteremia 14 days after the procedure. Fourteen patients were recruited for long-term follow-up, on a median follow-up period of 16.2 months (ranged from 3 to 46 months). There were 12 patients of complete remission and 2 patients of partial remission and only one patient took a second operation due to the enlargement of fistula and translocation of occluder. At follow-up, 4 patients died and the reasons were directly related to the primary etiology, and no patient died due to APF recurrence. Conclusion Endobronchial closure of central APF using ASD occluder is a minimally invasive but effective modality of treatment with satisfactory long-term outcome.