Thoracoscopic surgery using omental flap for bronchopleural fistula

A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) can lead to empyema and death after pulmonary resection. A minor leakage from a BPF has been reported to be successfully closed endobronchially, although thoracoplasty is usually needed.

A case of successful thoracoscopic BPF closure using an omental flap in a 74-year-old man with emphysema who developed a BPF after right lower lobectomy for lung cancer is reported. Reoperation was performed to close the BPF using an omental flap. After successful closure of the BPF, the empyema resolved with intravenous antibiotics.

Thoracoscopic single-stage omentoplasty without thoracotomy might be a useful treatment method when a BPF is diagnosed early.