Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot in Treating Pleural Empyema with Fistula

For pleural empyema with fistula, fenestration and subsequent omental plombage, and thoracoplasty are frequently necessary. A 57-year-old man was transported by ambulance because of impaired consciousness and septic shock due to pleural empyema on the right caused by a ruptured lung abscess. We performed empyema curettage urgently, drained 800 ml of purulent pleural effusion, and inserted 3 chest tubes. Postoperative air leakage from the ruptured lung abscess of the middle lobe was noted, and respiratory failure was prolonged. We inserted an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS) into bronchus B5b on postoperative day 11. The air leak stopped, and the inflammatory response was gradually reduced. Computed tomography revealed decrease in free air space. We removed the chest tubes on postoperative day 35, and was able to wean off the ventilator on postoperative day 60. He was discharged on postoperative day 102. Bronchial plombage with EWS is a procedure of choice in treating pleural empyema with fistula caused by pulmonary abscess rupture, and can avoid fenestration in these patients.