title: Bronchopleural fistula after stapled closure of bronchus.
abstract: The incidence of bronchopleural fistula after stapling among 2,243 pulmonary resections at the Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center has been reviewed. There were 35 fistulas in 1,773 stapled and in 470 sutured bronchi (segmentectomy, 2; lobectomy, 1; bilobectomy, 9; and pneumonectomy, 23). We have found that the stapler is expedient and simple to use, and that it produces a hermetic and uniform closure. The stapler is contraindicated when the bronchus is thickened, inflamed, or of insufficient length. The overall incidence of bronchopleural fistula was 1.6%. Approximately two thirds of the patients with bronchopleural fistula had preoperative radiation therapy or chemotherapy or both.
authors.affiliation: Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Vester
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Kittle
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Jensik
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013536:Suture Techniques