Endoscopic treatment of persistent alveolar-pleural air leaks with a unidirectional endobronchial valve

The persistent air leaks due to alveolopleural fistula are not an uncommon complication of pneumothorax, particularly secondary ones. Unidirectional flow endobronchial valves designed for lung volume reduction are the latest incorporation to the therapeutic armamentarium. We present the case of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with persistent pneumothorax in spite of treatment with three pleurodesis which was able to be resolved with the placement of two IBV™ valves.