Transsternal occlusion of main bronchi fistulae after pneumonectomy.

Objective: To summarize our experience in transsternal occlusion of main bronchus fistula.

Material And Methods: We have performed 146 transsternal occlusions of the main bronchi for the period from 1979 to 2018. There were 123 (84.2%) men and 23 (15.7%) women. Mean age of patients was 63 years. Lung tuberculosis was diagnosed in 36 (24.7%) patients, lung cancer - 91 (62.3%) patients, non-specific suppurative lung diseases - 14 (9.6%) patients, trauma - 5 (3.4%) patients. All patients underwent transsternal occlusion of the main bronchi fistulae with or without pericardial cavity dissection. Wedge-shaped bronchial resection or tracheal bifurcation resection were carried out for a short stump fistula.

Results: Perioperative complications occurred in 28 (19.2%) out of 146 patients. Intraoperative complications developed in 4 (2.6%) patients. Postoperative complications were observed in 25 (17.1%) patients. Intraoperative mortality rate was 1.4% (=2), postoperative mortality - 6.2% (=9). Thus, overall mortality rate was 7.6% (=11 It should be noted that intraoperative complications were absent if dissection of the pericardium and pulmonary artery stump ligation were not performed.

Conclusion: Transsternal occlusion of the main bronchi fistulae was successful in 80.8% of patients. In these cases, healing of fistulae was not associated with any complications. Thus, we believe that transsternal occlusion of the main bronchial stump fistula should be considered as preferable surgical strategy.