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Esophagopleural fistula after pneumonectomy
Chest
|June 1, 1976
Summary
Esophagopleural fistulas after pneumonectomy are rare but deadly. A novel one-stage surgical repair involving fistula closure, muscle flap reinforcement, and thoracoplasty offers successful treatment for this severe complication.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Complications
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Background:
- Esophagopleural fistula is a rare, life-threatening complication following pneumonectomy.
- Previous treatment methods for esophagopleural fistulas have shown limited success.
Observation:
- Three patients developed esophagopleural fistulas post-pneumonectomy.
- Two patients had failed previous treatments before the novel procedure.
Findings:
- A one-stage surgical procedure successfully treated two patients.
- The procedure included fistula closure, intercostal muscle flap buttressing, and thoracoplasty with neomycin infusion.
Implications:
- This one-stage repair offers a promising approach for managing catastrophic esophagopleural fistulas.
- The technique provides maximum opportunity for successful treatment of this severe post-pneumonectomy complication.