Bronchial stump fistula: treatment with covered, retrievable, expandable, hinged stents--preliminary clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the preliminary clinical efficacy and retrievability of a covered, retrievable, metallic hinged stent in the treatment of bronchial stump fistula (BPF).


METHODS
Between April 2003 and March 2005, eight patients with bronchial stump fistula after pneumonectomy or lobectomy were treated with two types of covered, retrievable, metallic hinged stents. Type A stent was placed in six patients and type B in two under fluoroscopic guidance. The stent was removed with a retrieval set when BPF was healed or complications occurred.


RESULTS
Stent placement in the bronchial tree was technically successful in all patients, without procedure-related complications. Immediate closure of the BPF was achieved in all patients after the procedure. Stents were removed from all patients but one. Removal of the stents was difficult in two patients due to tissue hyperplasia. Patients were followed for 4-16 months. Placement of the stents remained stable in all patients except one due to severe cough. Permanent closure of BPF was achieved in seven (87.5%) of eight patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a covered, retrievable, expandable, metallic hinged stent is a simple, safe, and effective procedure for the closure of bronchial stump fistula. Retrieval of the stent seems feasible.
Li
Yong-Dong
YD
Department of Radiology, The Sixth Affiliated People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. liyongdong2009@tom.com
Han
Xin-Wei
XW
Li
Ming-Hua
MH
Wu
Gang
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000601:surgery*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents