The role of inflammation in bronchial stump healing.

The roles of inflammatory response and closure technique in the development of bronchopleural fistula were evaluated. Canine bronchial stumps closed with 3-0 silk and studied 14 days later were characterized by a dense inflammatory infiltrate. Stumps closed with 3-0 chromic catgut suture showed a moderate inflammatory response with disintegration of suture material. However, stumps closed with the automatic stapling device (TA-30) showed the best healing and a minimal degree of inflammation. These findings correlated well with leakage pressures. The average leakage pressure for the silk closed stumps was 139.44 mm Hg plus or minus 78.9 SD. This was significantly lower (P less than 0.02) than the average leakage pressure for staple closed stumps (251.25 mm Hg plus or minus 82.9 SD). It is concluded that the minimal amount of inflammation following staple closure will be associated with improved bronchial stump healing and a lower incidence of bronchopleural fistula.