Closure of bronchopleural fistulas using albumin-glutaraldehyde tissue adhesive.

Abstract

Bronchopleural fistulas are a life-threatening complication of pulmonary resection. A 21-year-old woman developed a large bronchopleural fistula after undergoing a pneumonectomy for carcinoid tumor. Despite bronchial stump revision and omental coverage, the fistula recurred. The second patient is a 42-year-old woman with a history of multiple thoracotomies who developed a bronchopleural fistula following aortic root replacement. Using either rigid bronchoscopy or thoracoscopy, these fistulas were evaluated and sealed with an albumin-glutaraldehyde tissue adhesive that may have improved strength and biocompatibility compared with other tissue sealants. This approach may be an effective alternative in the treatment of bronchopleural fistulas.