The pectoral muscle flaps in the treatment of bronchial stump fistula following pneumonectomy.

Between 1975 and June 1992, pneumonectomy was performed in 594 patients, of whom 33 (5.6%) developed bronchopleural fistulae postoperatively. Until 1989 25 cases were reoperated: 5 patients were treated by thoracoplasty primarily, 20 by repair of the stump with sutures and by covering the stump with pericardial tissue or intercostal muscle, of whom 10 suffered from empyema. In 5/20 patients (25%) chronic fistulae developed making further interventions necessary. Since 1989 seven patients with bronchial stump fistulae have been reoperated with a delay of less than 12 h after diagnosis. Surgery consisted of reclosure of the stump with sutures in five patients. In addition, every patient was treated with the intrathoracic transposition of a petiolated ipsilateral pectoral muscle graft, which was the only treatment in two patients. Neither recurrence of the bronchopleural fistula nor empyema was seen in this group of patients (0%). We conclude that bronchial stump fistulae in patients after pneumonectomy can be treated successfully by the use of pectoral muscle flaps either combined with a closure of the leak using sutures or as the only measure. The method proved to be simple, safe and without major impairment of the patient. In combination with early reintervention, postpneumonectomy empyema including a disfiguring thoracoplasty can thereby often be avoided.