Treatment of a bronchopleural fistula with a Fogarty catheter and oxidized regenerated cellulose (surgicel).

A patient with bronchopleural fistula was successfully treated by occluding the fistula with an inflated Fogarty catheter balloon packed with oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel) using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. After 48 h, the balloon was deflated, the fistula had sealed, and the patient did well. This simple and relatively noninvasive therapy was effective in this patient who was not a surgical candidate.