[Successful two-stage approach to treating excessive hemorrhage from pulmonary arterial stump in post-lobectomy bronchopleural fistula].

Abstract

A 62-year-old man underwent right lower lobectomy for adenocarcinoma (pT2N0M0) and nine days later, a bronchopleural fistula with empyema was evident. Six weeks following the lobectomy, excessive hemorrhage from the site of chest drainage and hemoptysis were noted. The bleeding and empyema were controlled by a two-stage approach. Anterior transpericardial approach was first made through the median sternotomy to clamp the right main pulmonary artery and then postero-lateral thoracotomy was conducted for the bronchopleural fistula with empyema. The right bronchial stump was covered with a pedicled muscle flap and pseudomonas aeruginosa, always positive in drainage effusion, consequently disappeared. The patient was discharged with a closed bronchus 4 months following the operation.