[Interventional treatment of tracheopleural and bronchopleural fistulas]

Interventional bronchoscopy is an indispensable option to manage bronchopleural and tracheopleural fistulas in patients in a poor general condition and at high risk for developing postoperative complications.

This article is based on a search in the PubMed database for relevant publications and own experiences as surgeons and pneumologists.

Various interventional techniques can be used for the treatment of bronchopleural and tracheopleural fistulas. Currently, the insertion of stents or endobronchial valves is the most frequently used treatment. Ideally, the attending anesthesiologist will have experience with high frequency jet ventilation and the attending surgeon will have experience with rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, and interventional bronchoscopy.

Due to a lack of standardized treatment recommendations, individual treatment plans must be decided according to the location of the bronchopleural or tracheopleural fistula and taking existing comorbidities into account.