• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.677-682
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• 1994

A bronchopleural ~stula[BPF] is a major therapeutic challange to the thoracic surgeons due to difficulties in its management. We have experienced 9 cases of postpneumonectomy BPF, and all of them occured after the right side pneumonectomy. Seven patients underwent pneumonectomy due to lung cancer, and one patient each received pneumonectomy due to bronchiectasis and pulmonary tuberculosis. The most frequently used method of treatment was Eloesser operation which was done in 7 patients, and one had open thoracostomy and one had betadine irrigation until he died suddenly due to pulmonary vein rupture. The result of treatment was poor with five mortalities including one operative death. Two patients are in good condition in 28 months and 4 years of follow-up, but two are lost in follow-up. Tissue sealant such as Tisseel was used in three patients but seems to have no effect at all in the treatment of postoperative BPF.