Prevention of bronchial fistulas after pneumonectomies for selected cavitary drug resistant lung tuberculosis.

Background: The World Health Organization guidelines for management drug resistant tuberculosis include surgery as an additional method in selected cases. Pneumonectomies have higher risk of morbidity such as bronchial fistulas which may be prevented by bronchial stump covering. We compare two methods of bronchial stump reinforcement. Methods and materials: A retrospective single center follow-up study was done in 52 patients who underwent pneumonectomy for drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Between 2000 and 2017 we performed pneumonectomies with pericardial fat reinforcement of bronchial stump in group 1 (n = 42), and between 2017 and 2021 in group 2 with pedicled muscle flap reinforcement group 2 (n = 10). Results: Bronchial fistulas occurred in 17/42 (41%) of patients group 1 and there was no fistula in group 2, and this was statistically different (Fisher's test p = 0.02). Post-operative complications were seen in 24/42 (57%) of the patients in Group 1, and 4/10 (40%) patients in Group 2 (Fischer's test p = 0.53). In group 1 positive bacteriology decreased from 74% to 24% just after surgery, and in group 2 it decreased from 90% to 10%, but this was not statistically different (Fisher's test p = 0.63). In group 1 no-one died the first month, but 8/42 (19%) died within a year; in group 2 one died within a month, and only this death (10%) within a year. This difference in case fatality was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of pedicle muscle flap for bronchial stump coverage during the pneumonectomies for destructive drug resistant tuberculosis can prevent severe postoperative fistulas and improve postoperative life.

Endoscopic closure of a bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy with the Amplatzer occluder: a step forward?

OBJECTIVES: A bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy is a relatively rare but very serious complication. The development of endoscopic methods of treatment opens a new page in treating this condition. The goal of this paper was to confirm that the atrial septal defect Amplatzer device can be used for bronchopleural fistula closure in properly selected patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of 13 patients with bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy was performed. There were 11 men and 2 women aged 26-70 years. Right-sided fistulas occurred in 10 patients and left-sided fistulas occurred in 3. The underlying disease was lung cancer in 7 patients and pulmonary tuberculosis in 6. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (N = 7) and open-window thoracostomy (N = 6) were used to treat the empyema. To treat occlusion of the bronchial fistulas, we used Amplatzer atrial septal defect occluders originally intended for closure of ventricular and interatrial septal defects. The occluder was inserted from the bronchus by flexible bronchoscopy with the patient under local anaesthesia, with the help of video-assisted thoracoscopy or through a window thoracostomy from the pleural cavity. RESULTS: We noted 3 complications after the procedure. In 2 patients, displacement of the occluders required re-installation in 1 patient and latissimus dorsi muscle coverage in the other. In the third patient, the occluder became dislodged during severe exacerbation of tuberculosis that occurred after the patient violated the treatment regimen. She died of tuberculosis 6 months after the occluder was inserted. The course in the remaining 10 patients was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that the use of an atrial septal defect occluder for the treatment of a bronchial fistula after pneumonectomy is a reliable option.

Surgery for huge mediastinal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal tumors can reach a huge size and give rise to serious surgical and oncological problems. METHODS: A review of 18 patients with huge mediastinal tumors was performed. Ages ranged from 16 to 61 years, and 10 were male. In 4 cases, exploratory thoracotomies had been undertaken in other hospitals; in one patient, the tumor recurred after incomplete resection. We performed a median sternotomy in 17 patients and a lateral thoracotomy in one. Radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy was administered in cases found to be malignant. RESULTS: In 15 patients, the tumor was removed completely. In one patient, the operation was palliative because of vena caval and atrial invasion, and another had exploration only; biopsies revealed malignant transformation in these 2 patients. The blood loss was 425-2530 mL (average 690 mL); bleeding was fatal in one patient. Tissue diagnosis showed mature teratomas in 10 patients. Foci of malignant transformation were found in 5 cases. Chemodectoma was found in one patient, and thymoma in two. Patients with mature teratomas are free of disease. Two patients with malignant teratomas died from tumor recurrence despite irradiation and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and oncological problems lie in the fact that malignant transformation of the tumor is diagnosed only after surgery. Extensive blood loss is a crucial surgical problem. Median sternotomy is the optimal operative approach. Surgical treatment of mature mediastinal tumors results in good outcomes unless malignancy is detected.