2019 Volume 33 Issue 2 Pages 166-171
Pneumonectomy for pulmonary aspergillosis is associated with a high frequency of empyema and bronchopleural fistula. A 46-year-old woman who had contracted pulmonary tuberculosis was referred to our hospital for evaluation of hemoptysis with pulmonary aspergillosis. She had decreased activity when she consulted us, therefore we planned her surgery after rehabilitation training for 2 months as an outpatient. We performed transcatheter arterial embolization of intercostal arteries the day before surgery, and performed a right pneumonectomy in conjuction with covering the bronchial stump with a latissimus muscle flap. She was discharged from our hospital on the 15th post-operative day with no complications. She has remained well for 3 years and 10 months post-operatively. We obtained favorable results by performing a right pneumonectomy for pulmonary aspergillosis with reinforcement of the bronchial stump and careful peri-operative management. We suggest that bronchial stump reinforcement with a latissimus dorsi flap is an effective method to prevent bronchial stump failure.
