title: Endoscopic treatment of bronchopleural fistulas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bronchial fistula is one of the most serious complications of pulmonary resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present an endoscopic treatment that consists of multiple submucosal injections of polidocanol-hydroxypoliethoxidodecane (Aethoxysklerol Kreussler) on the margins of the fistula using an endoscopic needle inserted through a flexible bronchoscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1984 to 1995, 35 consecutive nonselected patients with a postresectional bronchopleural fistula were treated. All 23 partial postpneumonectomy or postlobectomy bronchopleural fistulas, ranging from 2 to 10 mm in diameter, healed completely. This did not occur in the 12 total bronchial dehiscences. No complications occurred due to the injection of the drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our opinion this treatment can be considered a valid therapeutic approach, as it is simple, safe, scarcely traumatic, and inexpensive, particularly considering that, in patients in stable condition, it can be performed as an outpatient treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Milan, San Giuseppe Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Varoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roviaro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grignani
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maciocco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rebuffat
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols