[Experimental closure of bronchial stump after pneumonectomy with the greater omentum]

Authors present their results with experimental closure of bronchial stump after pneumonectomy with pedicled flaps of the greater omentum in sheep. In the experimental group left thoracotomy and laparotomy was performed. The left lung was resected and the bronchial stump was closed with the pedicled flap of the greater omentum. In controls standard left pneumonectomy was performed. After different periods of time (1-12 weeks) the animals were sacrificed, the bronchial stumps were excised and submitted to pathological studies. In none case bronchial fistula occurred. Pathological studies showed that the omentum at the base of the bronchial stump was transformed in the fibrous tissue. The bronchial epithelium begins to cover the omentum in 4 weeks after the operation and this process is finished in 12 weeks after the operation. Pedicled flap of the greater omentum seems to be useful in surgical treatment of bronchial fistulas.