Endobronchial Sealing of Bronchopleural Fistula following Capnographic Detection : A New Mode of Therapy

Background. Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a fistulous communication between the pleural cavity and bronchial tree. Closure of the fistula, requires surgical or thoracoscopic interventions, which are difficult to carry out in patients with poor lung function. Methods. Seven patients, all with relative contraindications for surgery because of a poor lung function or abnormal underlying lung conditions were enrolled for the procedure. The fistula in each of them was closed with endobronchial instillation of n-butyl cyanoacrylate following capnographic detection of the bronchus leading to the fistula. Results. The procedure successfully closed the BPF in all the patients who reported well over six months of follow-up. Conclusions. Endobronchial closure of BPF with n-butyl cyanoacrylate glue following capnographic detection was found to be a sate and effective procedure.