Non-surgical closure of post-pneumonectomy empyema with bronchopleural fistula after open window thoracotomy using basic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract

Empyema with bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is one of the severest complications following pneumonectomy. Many papers have reported that it is difficult to cure, with a high rate of associated mortality. Closure of the fistula and an appropriate choice of obliteration materials are crucial for successful treatment. However, obliteration is sometimes impractical because of a lack of suitable materials, excessive surgical risk, or lack of patient willingness to undergo the procedure. We report a case of post-pneumonectomy empyema with BPF that was treated by non-surgical closure after open-window thoracotomy (OWT) with the use of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which was sprayed into the unepithelialized empyema cavity transiting from epidermis and surrounding the fistula. After spraying, the orifice of the OWT was covered by a film dressing. This procedure yielded successful results after two months.

• Authors: Masaya Okuda, Hiroyasu Yokomise, Shintaro Tarumi, Chen-Long Huang
• Journal: Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery (Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg) Vol. 9 Issue 5 Pg. 916-8 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1569-9285 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19706719 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aerosols
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

Topics

• Aerosols
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bandages
• Bronchial Fistula (etiology, pathology, therapy)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Debridement
• Drainage
• Empyema, Pleural (etiology, pathology, therapy)
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (secondary, surgery)
• Male
• Pleural Diseases (etiology, pathology, therapy)
• Pneumonectomy (adverse effects)
• Respiratory Tract Fistula (etiology, pathology, therapy)
• Thoracotomy
• Treatment Outcome