title: Endobronchial closure of a postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula.
abstract: Successful permanent endobronchial closure of a serious postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula is reported in a patient with a delayed diagnosis of Mycobacterium fortuitum-cheloni infection. Increasing experience, improved plugging agents, and a review of the literature suggest that in selected patients, this procedure can avoid complex repeat operations and reverse life-threatening situations. Although atypical mycobacterial infections occur with infrequency, they are difficult to treat and may lead, as in this patient, to a misdiagnosis. Operations on granulomatous tissues are prone to heal poorly, thus inviting tissue breakdown and chronic fistulas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Phoenix Baptist Hospital, Arizona.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Opie
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Comp
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lowell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Finch
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000601:surgery; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*