Traumatic bronchial injury.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheobronchial injury is a recognized, yet uncommon, result of blunt trauma to the thorax. Often the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, resulting in attempted surgical repair months or even years after the injury. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We present a case report of a 31-year old female who suffered a left main bronchus transection after a motor vehicle accident. The diagnostic, management issues, and clinical findings surrounding this injury are reviewed. DISCUSSION: Tracheobronchial disruption is a rare, life-threatening injury. Suspicion should be high when pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax are refractory to adequate pleural drainage. Flexible bronchoscopy with intubation distal to the injury may be necessary to prevent loss of the airway. Advance preparation should include setups for bronchoscopy, thoracotomy, and cardiopulmonary bypass. Patient survival depends on preparation and prompt surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: A high level of suspicion and the liberal use of bronchoscopy are important in the diagnosis of tracheobronchial injury. A tailored surgical approach is often necessary for definitive repair.

Modified method for bronchial suture by Ramirez Gama compared to separate stitches suture: experimental study / Sutura de brônquios pelo método de Ramirez Gama modificado comparada à sutura com pontos separados: estudo experimental

OBJECTIVE: To experimentally compare two classic techniques described for manual suture of the bronchial stump. METHODS: We used organs of pigs, with isolated trachea and lungs, preserved by refrigeration. We dissected 30 bronchi, which were divided into three groups of ten bronchi each, of 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm, respectively. In each, we performed the suture with simple, separated, extramucosal stitches in five other bronchi, and the technique proposed by Ramirez and modified by Santos et al in the other five. Once the sutures were finished, the anastomoses were tested using compressed air ventilation, applying an endotracheal pressure of 20mmHg. RESULTS: the Ramirez Gama suture was more effective in the bronchi of 3, 5 and 7 mm, and there was no air leak even after subjecting them to a tracheal pressure of 20mmHg. The simple interrupted sutures were less effective, with extravasation in six of the 15 tested bronchi, especially in the angles of the sutures. These figures were not significant (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: manual sutures of the bronchial stumps were more effective when the modified Ramirez Gama suture was used in the caliber bronchi arms when tested with increased endotracheal pressure. .

OBJETIVO: comparar experimentalmente duas técnicas clássicas descritas para a sutura manual do coto brônquico. MÉTODOS: foram empregadas vísceras de suínos com a traqueia e os pulmões isolados, conservados por refrigeração. Foram dissecados 30 brônquios, divididos em três grupos de dez brônquios cada, com 3mm, 5mm e 7mm, respectivamente. Em cada um dos grupos foi realizada a sutura com pontos simples separados extramucosos em cinco brônquios e nos outros cinco, foi empregada a técnica proposta por Ramirez Gama e modificada por Santos et al. Terminadas as suturas, as anastomoses foram testadas com ventilação empregando ar comprimido, submetidas a uma pressão endotraqueal de 20mmHg. RESULTADOS: os pontos de Ramirez Gama foram mais efetivos em brônquios de 3, 5 e 7 mm, e não houve extravasamento de ar mesmo após submetê-los a uma pressão endotraqueal de 20mmHg. Os pontos simples separados foram menos efetivos, havendo extravasamento em seis dos 15 brônquios testados, principalmente nos ângulos das suturas. Estes números não foram significativos (p=0,08). . CONCLUSÃO: as suturas manuais dos cotos brônquicos foram mais efetivas quando o ponto de Ramirez Gama modificado foi utilizado nos brônquios de pequeno calibre quando testados com aumento da pressão endotraqueal. .

Combined procedure of resection and construction of bronchus,great vessels and heart in the treatment of central lung cancer / 中国医师杂志

Objective To summarize the clinical results of combined procedure of resections and constructions of bronchus,great vessels and heart in the treatment of 79 patients with central lung cancer.Methods From Jun,1988 to Jun,2005,the combined procedure of resections and constructions of bronchus,great vessels and heart were carried out in 74 patients with central lung cancer.The operations included ring of bronchus or sleeve lobectomy in 57 cases,double sleeve lobectomy in 15 cases,carinal resection and reconstruction in 4 cases.Results There was no operative deaths and 7(8.86 %) patients had operative complications.The survival rates of 12,36,60 months and 10 years were 78.5%,59.5%,35.4% and 17.7% respectively.Conclusion With the treatment of sleeve lobectomy or combined with resection and reconstruction of pulmonary artery,great vessels or heart,the pulmonary function can be protected significantly,and the cure rate and the long term survival rate can be improved in patients with central lung cancer.