Microinvasive technique for postoperative early bronchial stump fistula.

Although Bronchial stump fistula after pneumonectomy is a rare, but has serious complications. The main reason is that encapsulated fluid or blood around bronchial stump forms and infects. We used CT localization chest drainage and direct vision-assisted thoracoscopic chest drainage techniques to treat early fistula and observe their clinical efficacy. Between October 2003 and July 2008, 12 patients with early bronchial stump fistula were recognized, and underwent CT localization chest drainage and direct vision-assisted thoracoscopic chest drainage techniques. After treatment, patients' clinic symptom were relieved, and fistula healed. Early recognization and treatment of bronchial stump fistula by microinvasive technique, could achieve a satisfactory clinical efficacy.