1995 Volume 17 Issue 5 Pages 443-447
A 64-year-old male visited our hospital with positive sputum cytology and negative chest x-ray film in March 1991. Selective bronchial washings from the left upper lobe showed squamous cell carcinoma, therefore left upper lobectomy was performed. A histological study revealed squamous cell carcinoma in situ at 1B^5b. In March 1993, bronchofiberscopy revealed a protruding lesion (squamous cell carcinoma) at the bifurcation of 1B^8 and B^9. After Nd-YAG laser and radiation therapy, no cancer cells were obtained. In April 1994, completion pneumonectomy was performed because of squamous cell carcinoma newly developed in 1B^<10>. The bronchial stump was covered with an intercostal muscle flap. A small bronchopleural fistula after surgery was cured conservative treatment, preventing complete dehiscence at the bronchial stump. This intercostal flap technique is useful in preventing bronchopleural fistula associated with completion pneumonectomy following radiation therapy.
