Use of staplers in congenital lobar emphysema.

The authors report on a technique for the treatment of congenital lobar emphysema in a patient of 6.5 kg body weight. After left thoracotomy and vessel isolation, a section of the lobar bronchus and interlobar fissure was performed, because of incompleteness of 3/4 of its length. Metal clips were used with the stapler ENDO-GIA 30v Autosuture after tissue calibration. The authors underline the importance of the staplers, which have been widely used in adult surgery, because they reduce the risk of bacterial contamination and air leakage through the suture rims, especially in lung resective surgery.