[Closure method of bronchopleural fistula with omental pedicle flap in three cases following pneumonectomy].

This report presents that successful closure of bronchopleural fistula was performed by using omental pedicle flap for three postpneumonectomy patients. In our department, these cases were experienced among 142 pneumonectomies from January 1984 to July 1989. The initial operations were a pleuropneumonectomy for empyema, a pneumonectomy and a sleeve pneumonectomy for lung cancer. Our technique was direct closure of bronchopleural fistula with omental pedicle flap without thoracoplasty. Although none of them had recurrence of bronchopleural fistula nor other complications in postoperative course, two patients died of cancer.