Abstract
Bronchial fistula is one of the severe complications associated with pulmonary lobectomy, and according to various reports, has an incidence of about 2%. The Sweet method, the Overholt method and simple ligation method are some of the published techniques for closure of the bronchial stump following pulmonary lobectomy. In recent years, automatic suture instruments are being utilized more often. We have mainly utilized the simple ligation method because: 1) it is a simple procedure and is cost effective; 2) sputum does not enter the thoracic cavity; and 3) since sutures are not exposed in the bronchial stump cavity, infections are less likely to occur. The subjects were 174 patients who underwent surgery utilizing the simple ligation method. The results of the present study showed that there were no complications such as postoperative bronchial fistula in any patients, including those who received pre-or post-operativechemotherapy or radiation therapy, thereby suggesting the usefulness of the simple ligation method.
