[Examination of the postoperative change of pedicled pericardial fat pad for reinforcement of bronchial sutures by computed tomography].

A pedicled pericardial fat pad (PPFP) is often used in pulmonary resection to reinforce bronchial sutures. Here, we assessed the significance of PPFP by serial chest computed tomography (CT). Ten cases in which bronchial stump were covered with a PPFP in the past 6 years were reviewed. The procedures were pneumonectomy (3), lobectomy (6), and a segmentectomy. According to the CT value evaluated serially PPFP was recognized as fat tissue until 1~2 postoperative months. No cases of bronchopleural fistulae was encountered in this series. The coverage of the sutures with the PPFP was thought to contribute to the prevention of bronchial fistula by staying around bronchial stump for at least 1 to 2 months.