Abstract
Background. We report a case of thoracic empyema with a bronchopleural fistula for which surgical closure was difficult; however, we were able to overcome this problem by bronchial occlusion performed with the use of a guidewire. Case. The patient was a 64-year-old man who developed thoracic empyema due to a ruptured anastomosis after surgery for esophageal cancer. The ruptured anastomosis healed with conservative treatment, but the thoracic empyema lead to the development of a bronchopleural fistula, which proved to be difficult to treat. The patient was referred to our department. Although surgical fistula closure, fenestration, and thoracoplasty were performed, the patient's condition did not recover. Therefore, bronchoscopic occlusion of fistula was performed. With the use of a guidewire, we filled the bronchopleural fistula with solid silicone dental impression material. Thereafter, thoracoplasty and plombage of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap were performed, and the thoracic empyema was subsequently treated successfully. Conclusion. We reported a case of thoracic empyema with bronchopleural fistula, which we treated successfully by bronchial occlusion.
