[Prevention and treatment of bronchopleural fistula using pedicled muscle flaps]

Authors used pedicled muscle flaps for prevention and treatment of bronchopleural fistulas in 55 patients. Thirty five flaps were used for prevention and 21 for treatment of bronchial stump leak. After using 19 pectoral, 18 latissimus, 10 diaphragm, 3 intercostals, 2 serratus and 4 double muscle flaps, only two flap necrosis occurred due to insufficient flap perfusion. Latissimus and diaphragm flaps were used mainly for the purpose of prevention and the pectoral flaps for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula. The authors reveal the advantages, disadvantages and indications of using different muscle flaps for different purposes. Using this technique is an essential practice in everyday thoracic surgery.