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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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Published on: January 23, 2026
Spontaneous bronchopleural fistula following lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema
Arman Kilic1, Frank C Sciurba, James D Luketich
1Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgery Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Abstract:
Five days following bilateral thoracoscopic lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema, a 63-year-old man underwent reoperation for closure of a massive bronchopleural fistula. It was discovered intraoperatively that the fistula was located distant from prior staple lines or resection sites from his surgery. This case is an example of what may be a unique pathophysiologic mechanism of bronchopleural fistula formation--a 'stress rupture' of the lung parenchyma following lung volume reduction surgery.
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