Right thoracotomy approach for treatment of left bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy for tubercolosis.

Abstract

Pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis is a rare option but can sometimes be necessary in cases of destroyed lung, resulting from a previous or persistent chronic infection. Bronchopleural fistula on the bronchial stump may develop as a postoperative complication, favoured by the long-lasting infectious disease and the poor nutritional status. Right-sided approach can be used for treatment of left bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy. We report a rare case of left bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis in a 38-year-old woman, treated by re-closure and re-stapling of the left main bronchial stump through a right thoracotomy approach. The patient is in excellent general condition and without evidence of bronchopleural fistula and tuberculosis at 3years from re-closure of the left bronchial stump through right thoracotomy. This approach allowed a successful and safe management of our case of left bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy for tuberculosis, without short and long-term complications.