Ultraflex expandable stents for the management of air leaks.
Postoperative empyema and aspergillosis were diagnosed in a 66-year-old man. Since non-operative therapy was not effective, we performed surgery. On the 8th postoperative day, a covered Ultraflex expandable stent (Boston Scientific, Galway, Ireland) was implanted to make a one-way airway for blocking a major air leak from a bronchopleural fistula causing respiratory distress. His general condition improved gradually, and he was discharged 30 days after stenting. In conclusion, we used a covered Ultraflex expandable stent to make an airway to block an air leak. This may be a new application for this stent.
Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Ebara Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Mitsuru
M
Takahashi
Hidenobu
H
Takahashi
Tetsushi
T
Itoh
Masaharu
M
Nomura
Akihiko
A
Ogata
Sachio
S
Maehara
Harubumi
H
Kato
D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D013510:Pulmonary Surgical Procedures; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000601:surgery