[Selection of staple for closure of the lobar bronchus]

From January 1984 to October 1995, Stapling of lobar bronchus excluding middle lobe was investigated in 335 patients with lung cancer. We used routinely the 3.5 mm staple in the previous term and the 4.8 mm staple in the latter term. The stapling with 3.5 mm staple was performed in 220 patients. The stapling failed in the pressure proof test intraoperatively in 8 patients and bronchopleural fistula occurred postoperatively in 4 patients. The bronchus was cut or destroyed by the staple in most of them. The stapling with 4.8 mm staple was performed in 115 patients. The stapling failed in the pressure proof test intraoperatively in one patient because of loose closure of the bronchus. Bronchopleural fistula did not occur postoperatively. In conclusion, the 4.8 mm staple is a better choice for closure of the lobar bronchus except for a small woman or middle lobe.