Successful conservative therapy for bronchopleural fistula after primary lung cancer resection: A case report

A 73-year-old man underwent right lower lobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma. On day 9 after the operation, bronchofiberscopic findings showed ulcerative changes in the bronchial stump. On day 16, ulcerative changes and partial necrosis of the bronchial stump led to bronchopleural fistula formation. Surgical treatment was considered, but the patient was asymptomatic and the empyema cavity was very narrow; thus, we chose conservative therapy. Although aspiration pneumonia developed, the fistula healed spontaneously on day 43. Conservative therapy was successful, because the empyema cavity was very narrow, and the control of infection and the patient's nutritional condition were relatively favorable.