Bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is an infrequent but life-threatening complication after lung resection. The incidence of BPF reported in the literature varies between 0 and 15%.

To evaluate the incidence of BPF after pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer in a single practice using a single technique.

Hospital records of patients who underwent pneumonectomy from 1 January 1988 to 1 October 1998 were reviewed retrospectively. The bronchial stump was closed using a uniform hand suture technique. There was a total of 157 patients, including 118 males and 39 females with a mean age of 64 years (range 37-78). Sixty-two patients (39.5%) had a right pneumonectomy.

Three patients developed BPF (1.9%). All occurred within seven days of the operation. Two of the three patients died. Ventilation for more than 24 hours was found to be the only significant risk factor for the development of BPF (p < 0.001).

Hand suture closure of bronchial stump after pneumonectomy is a safe, reproducible and inexpensive technique, and a low incidence of BPF can be achieved.