polidocanol and Bronchial-Fistula

Pulmonary resection is, by far, the primary cause of bronchial fistula. This is a severe complication because of its morbidity and mortality and the related consumption of resources. Definitive closure continues to be a challenge with several therapeutic options, but none are optimal. We describe our experience in bronchoscopic application of ethanolamine and lauromacrogol 400 for the treatment of post-resection bronchial fistulas.. Clinical records of 8 patients treated using this technique were collected prospectively. The diagnosis of a fistula was confirmed by flexible bronchoscopy. Sclerosis was indicated in the context of multimodal treatment. Sclerosant injection was performed under general anesthesia with a Wang 22G needle through a flexible bronchoscope. The procedure was repeated at 2-week intervals until definitive closure of the fistula was confirmed.. Fistula closure was achieved in 7 (87.5%) of the 8 patients, with persistence of the fistula in one patient who could not complete the treatment because of recurrence of his neoplastic pathology. No recurrence or complications related to the technique were registered.. Bronchoscopic sclerosis by means of submucosal injection of lauromacrogol 400 or ethanolamine should be part of the multimodal treatment of bronchopleural fistula after lung resection, pending further studies that contribute to the accurate establishment of optimal indications for this procedure.

Topics: Aged; Bronchial Fistula; Bronchoscopy; Ethanolamine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonectomy; Polidocanol; Prospective Studies; Sclerosing Solutions; Sclerotherapy; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

We report two cases of a bronchopleural fistula with, and without, empyema treated by endoscopic submucosal injection of polidocanol (sclerotherapy) and application of cyanoacrylate. Case 1: A 60-year-old man underwent left pleuropneumonectomy for lung cancer. He developed bronchopleural fistula with empyema at 32 days after the operation. We performed sclerotherapy around the fistula. The air leakage stopped at 2 weeks after the sclerotherapy, and the fistula was closed. He was eventually cured of the empyema by pleural drainage. Case 2: A 61-year-old man underwent left pneumonectomy for lung cancer. He developed bronchopleural fistula without empyema at 50 days after the operation. We performed sclerotherapy and application of cyanoacrylate. After this therapy, the air leakage stopped immediately, and the bronchopleural fistula was closed. The sclerotherapy and application of cyanoacrylate are not only technically easy, but also very effective for treatment of bronchopleural fistula. Sclerotherapy and cyanoacrylate may be advocated as a first therapeutic step.

Topics: Bronchial Fistula; Fistula; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pleural Diseases; Pneumonectomy; Polidocanol; Polyethylene Glycols; Postoperative Complications; Sclerosing Solutions; Sclerotherapy; Thoracoscopy

Bronchial fistula is one of the most serious complications of pulmonary resection.. We present an endoscopic treatment that consists of multiple submucosal injections of polidocanol-hydroxypoliethoxidodecane (Aethoxysklerol Kreussler) on the margins of the fistula using an endoscopic needle inserted through a flexible bronchoscope.. From 1984 to 1995, 35 consecutive nonselected patients with a postresectional bronchopleural fistula were treated. All 23 partial postpneumonectomy or postlobectomy bronchopleural fistulas, ranging from 2 to 10 mm in diameter, healed completely. This did not occur in the 12 total bronchial dehiscences. No complications occurred due to the injection of the drug.. In our opinion this treatment can be considered a valid therapeutic approach, as it is simple, safe, scarcely traumatic, and inexpensive, particularly considering that, in patients in stable condition, it can be performed as an outpatient treatment.

Topics: Bronchial Fistula; Bronchoscopy; Endoscopy; Fistula; Humans; Injections; Lung Neoplasms; Pleural Diseases; Pneumonectomy; Polidocanol; Polyethylene Glycols; Postoperative Complications; Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Tissue Adhesives; Treatment Outcome