Endoscopic Treatment of Bronchus Stump Fistulae following Pneumonectomy with Fibrin Sealant in Domestic Pigs

Abstract

Occlusion of the transected bronchus after pneumonectomy was achieved by transthoracic fibrin sealing in 14 domestic pigs. In 9 additional animals standardized bronchus stump fistulae could also be closed with fibrin sealant which was applied through a flexible bronchoscope. An average of 1 ml of fibrin sealant containing 500 units of thrombin and 3500 units of Aprotinin was necessary to achieve bronchial closure and to prevent early dissolution of the sealant. Endoscopic closure of a bronchus fistula by fibrin plug was successfully employed in one clinical case.