title: Simultaneous bronchopleural and esophagopleural fistulas after pneumonectomy.
abstract: The simultaneous occurrence of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) and esophagopleural fistula (EPF) after pneumonectomy is very rare. We describe a 60-year-old man who developed empyema associated with bronchopleural fistula as a complication of a right pneumonectomy. Initial chest tube drainage and antibiotic therapy were ineffective. Five months later ingested food particles appeared in the drainage fluid. Esophagoscopy revealed an esophageal fistula of 10 mm in diameter. After nutritional support by feeding jejunostomy both BPF and EPF were repaired by subscapular muscle myoplasty and extensive thoracoplasty through a right thoracotomy. Endoscopic examination performed 1 month after surgery showed complete closure of both fistulas and 9 months after surgery the patient was eating and gaining weight. The patient's death was due to aspiration pneumonia of another origin.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Thoracique, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Trigui
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Le Pimpec-Barthes
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lang-Lazdunski
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riquet
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013905:Thoracoplasty; D013908:Thoracotomy