Project description:BackgroundBronchopleural fistula (BPF) after lobectomy for lung cancer is a rare but serious complication. This study aimed to stratify the risk factors of BPF.MethodsPatients who underwent lobectomy without bronchoplasty and preoperative treatment for lung cancer between 2005 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. We examined the association between the incidence of BPF and background factors, including comorbidities, preoperative blood test results, respiratory function, surgical procedure, and extent of lymphadenectomy.ResultsAmong the 3,180 patients who underwent lobectomy, 14 (0.44%) developed BPF. The median interval from surgery to BPF onset was 21 days (range, 10-287). Two of the 14 patients died of BPF (mortality rate, 14%). All 14 patients who developed BPF were men and had undergone right lower lobectomy. Other factors significantly associated with the development of BPF were older age, heavy smoking, obstructive ventilatory failure, interstitial pneumonia, history of malignancy, history of gastric cancer surgery, low serum albumin levels, and histology. Multivariable analysis in the subgroup of men who underwent right lower lobectomy revealed that high level of serum C-reactive protein and a history of gastric cancer surgery were significantly associated with BPF, whereas bronchial stump coverage was inversely associated with BPF.ConclusionsMen who underwent right lower lobectomy were at increased risk of BPF. The risk was higher when the patient had high serum C-reactive protein or a history of gastric cancer surgery. Bronchial stump coverage might be effective in patients at high risk of BPF.
Project description:IntroductionBronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a feared complication of pulmonary resection. Fistula plugs (FP) have been described as an adequate treatment in anorectal disease. We describe our early experience placing an FP in the treatment of BPF.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed 5 patients for whom a FP was placed for BPF at our institution. Demographic data, initial perioperative information, method and technique of FP placement, and success is reported.ResultsFive patients (4 male, 1 female) with a median age of 63 years (range, 57-76 years) underwent 6 FP placements for BPF. Two patients were post-pneumonectomy and 3 patients post-lobectomy. The median time to presentation following surgery was 118 days (range 22-218). Upon bronchoscopic or operative re-evaluation, 3 patients had successful cessation of their air leak at 0, 1 and 4 days. Two of three patients subsequently underwent a thoracic muscle flap placement to augment healing. One patient had a persistent air leak despite 2 separate FP placements. The air leak stopped with endobronchial valves (EBV) which were deployed proximal to the FP, 9 days after placement of the FP. Another patient had a successful muscle flap placed 80 days after FP placement. There were no complications associated with the FP. Three of five patients were deemed successfully treated with FP placement alone.ConclusionIn patients with a postoperative BPF and pleural window, placement of a FP had a modest success rate and can be considered as a treatment modality option for BPF.
Project description:Lung cancer has the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide among the malignant tumors. The treatment of lung cancer was difficult in the decade years. Currently, the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has changed the pattern of lung cancer treatment. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, plus platinum-based chemotherapy is the preferred treatment modality for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The success of pembrolizumab in lung cancer has increased interest in expanding the use of neoadjuvant treatment. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are the most common adverse reactions in immunotherapy. The balance between the benefits and risks is crucial in this setting. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a routine procedure of resectable NSCLC treatment. It appears to favor low postoperative complication rate. The prolonged air leakage (PAL) is the most common complication after VATS, and the bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is the most serious complication. The management of adverse events after VATS, especially in the setting of immune therapy, need to be raised. Here, we report a case of BPF following VATS lobectomy, which firstly presented the treatment-related adverse event with neoadjuvant combination therapy of pembrolizumab plus cisplatin/pemetrexed. Literature on novel neoadjuvant immunotherapy was also reviewed in the present study.
Project description:ObjectiveThis study aims to comprehensively evaluate embolization coils in treating postoperative bronchopleural fistula (BPF).MethodsA systematic review based on PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library studies was conducted. All cases receiving embolization coils in treating postoperative BPF were included. The primary outcome was the efficacy of embolization coils in achieving closure of postoperative BPF.Results20 patients from 9 studies were included in this systematic review. A median number of 3 (range: 1-10) embolization coils with sealants obtained a complete closure rate of 80% in patients with postoperative BPF with sizes ranging from 2 to 3.1 mm. Three patients with BPF over 3 mm and one with multiple organ failure failed this treatment. Two cases of coil migration were reported without causing respiratory failure or fistula recurrence.ConclusionEmbolization coils might be considered a safe and effective bronchoscopic treatment for small postoperative BPF of less than 3 mm in size. More extensive and rigorous studies are needed to further evaluate and confirm the optimal use of embolization coils in the context of an alternative to surgical repair.
Project description:ObjectiveTo 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 methodsNine 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.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionWe 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.
Project description:Thoracoplasty is a historical procedure, initially devised for the treatment of refractory tuberculous empyema. Advances in medical treatments have nearly eliminated the need for this surgical procedure in pulmonary tuberculosis and it is rarely performed or taught in modern day surgical practice. However, few indications still exist, most prominently, in the treatment of postpneumonectomy refractory empyema often but not always associated with a bronchopleural fistula. In this case report, we present two cases of postpneumonectomy refractory empyema treated by thoracoplasty with long-term follow-up.