Delayed bronchial stump dehiscence following trimodality treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Background: Post pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula represents the most serious complication in thoracic surgery. Delayed fistula following tri modality treatment for mesothelioma is a serious problem regarding diagnosis and treatment. Surgical repair of the bronchial stump through a lateral thoracotomy is a dangerous attempt due to mediastinal fibrothorax and the risk of pulmonary artery stump damage.

Patients And Methods: Between 2002 and 2007, 85 extra pleural pneumonectomies for mesothelioma were performed. Only 58 patients completed the assigned tri modality treatment, five of them developed delayed bronchial stump dehiscence. The interval between primary surgery and stump dehiscence ranged from 6 months to 2 years.

Results: There were 4 right and one left sided fistulae. We had 4 males and one female, the mean age was 41 years. Bronchial stump was stapled in 3 patients and hand sewn closure was used in the remaining 2. By bronchoscopy, no stump recurrence was observed, but all patients with stapled bronchus had longer remaining stump. Empyema was present in all patients. All complicated patients received 2 field post operative radiotherapy with mediastinal dose of 40-45 Grays. The initial treatment consisted of tube thoracostomy followed by exploration through the previous thoracotomy incision with thorough curettage and wash of the infected space and removal of any exposed infected mesh. Bronchial stump was identified and re sutured. Re enforcement of the bronchial stump was done. Three patients required mechanical ventilation and 2 of them died. Surgery was successful in the remaining 3 patients.

Conclusion: Delayed bronchial stump dehiscence is liable to develop especially for right sided lesions. Prophylactic augmentation of right sided stumps with vascularised muscle flap, shielding of pathology proven negative stumps during radiotherapy and improvement of radiation techniques may improve the dose distribution.

Key Words: Delayed - Bronchial - Stump - Fistula - Tri modality - Mesothelioma.