Endo-bronchial application of glue in the management of hemoptysis.

Background: Hemoptysis from varied etiologies, often fails to respond to conservative therapy. The conventional managements of such a situation are Bronchial Artery Embolization (BAE) or thoracic surgery which is often not possible. Endoscopic application of glue may stand as a method of therapy in these circumstances.

Methods: 202 patients of hemoptysis were treated by video-bronchoscopy assisted endobronchial application of glue (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) with the help of polyethylene catheter being placed through the working channel. The details of the procedure and their 6 month follow up are presented.

Results: Immediate control of hemoptysis was achieved in 183 i.e. 90.59% of patients. 19 patients had a partial response, i.e., hemoptysis stopped and then recurred, endobronchial application of glue was repeated in them out of which 14 (6.9%) responded to the second procedure whereas 5 (2.47%) failed to show any response in spite of the repeated procedure. The complication rate was 0.49% in the form of glue migrating into the trachea. There was no mortality.

Conclusion: Endobronchial application of glue for hemoptysis can be an effective, economic and alternative therapy for mild to moderate hemoptysis.