Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot Research Articles

Endobronchial silicone spigot in prolonged air leaks: Nationwide study on outcomes and risk factors for treatment failure

BackgroundThe endobronchial silicone spigot, also known as the endobronchial Watanabe spigot, is used in bronchoscopic interventions to manage prolonged pulmonary air leakage. However, the outcomes of this procedure have not been thoroughly investigated. MethodsUsing a Japanese national inpatient database from April 2014 to March 2022, we assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of all eligible patients who received the endobronchial spigot. We also investigated risk factors associated with treatment failure. Treatment failure was defined as in-hospital death or the need for surgery after bronchial occlusion. ResultsWe analyzed data of 1095 patients who underwent bronchial occlusion using the endobronchial spigot. Among them, 252 patients (23.0%) died during hospitalization, and 403 patients (36.8%) experienced treatment failure. Factors associated with treatment failure included age between 85 and 94 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.83; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.04–3.21); male sex (OR 2.43; 95% CI, 1.44–4.11); low Barthel index score; comorbidities of interstitial pneumonia (OR 1.71; 95% CI, 1.18–2.48); antibiotics treatment (OR 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02–2.07); steroids treatment (OR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.07–2.36); and surgery prior to bronchial occlusion (OR 2.08; 95% CI, 1.29–3.35). In contrast, pleurodesis after bronchial occlusion (OR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32–0.75), and admission to high-volume hospitals were inversely associated with treatment failure (OR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37–0.90). ConclusionsThe endobronchial Watanabe spigot could be a nonsurgical treatment option for patients with prolonged pulmonary air leaks. Our findings will help identify patients who may benefit from such bronchial interventions.

Closure of open window thoracostomy due to MRSA pyothorax by EWS bronchial occlusion and modified extraperiosteal air plombage: a case report.

Refractory pyothorax caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a challenging clinical condition; complications such as bronchopleural fistulae can further hinder its treatment. To avoid a fatal state caused by aspirating pneumonia, open window thoracotomy is not only sometimes performed, but subsequent closure of the window can also be difficult. In this report, we describe the case of a patient with MRSA pyothorax with bronchopleural fistula in whom a successful closure of window thoracostomy was achieved by utilizing Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS; Novatech, La Ciotat, France) bronchial occlusion and a modified extraperiosteal air plombage technique. A 66-year-old man underwent an open window thoracotomy for pyothorax with bronchopleural fistula with MRSA infection at the age of 59. After 7 years, he was referred to our department for the closure of the window. Initially, we occluded the right B6a + b by EWS under bronchoscopy. Subsequently, we dissected the intercostal muscles between the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th ribs to collapse the pyothorax cavity and ensure the coverage of the fistula of lung including the hypertrophied parietal pleura and soft tissues of the chest wall. We filled the extrapleosteal space with a pedicled anterior serratus muscle flap to compress the parietal pleura. Postoperatively, lung expansion was satisfactory, and there has been no recurrence for 6 years since the window closure surgery. We were able to achieve closure and healing in a patient who underwent open window thoracostomy for MRSA bronchopleural fistula by applying EWS and modified extraperiosteal air plombage technique.

A Case of Bronchobiliary Fistula Successfully Treated for Bronchial Occlusion Using Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot and Embolization Coils

A Case of Bronchobiliary Fistula Successfully Treated for Bronchial Occlusion Using Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot and Embolization Coils

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot Placement for Hepatic Abscess and Bronchobiliary Fistula Following Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report.

A bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is an uncommon but severe complication after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, the definitive salvage methods are controversial. We herein report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatic abscess and BBF following RFA. We also review previous reports of BBF after RFA. The patient was a man in his 70s who underwent RFA for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in the subphrenic area. Despite percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage, bilioptysis persisted. Finally, the BBF was occluded with an endobronchial Watanabe spigot under fiber-optic bronchoscopy. Placing an endobronchial Watanabe spigot should be considered as a salvage therapy for refractory BBF following RFA.

Bronchoscopic interventions for bronchopleural fistulas

Bronchopleural fistula is a potentially fatal disease most often caused after pneumonectomy. Concomitant problems such as pulmonary infection and respiratory failure are typically the main contributors to patient mortality because of the improper contact between the bronchial and pleural cavity. Therefore, bronchopleural fistulas need immediate treatment, which requires the accurate location and timely closure of the fistula. Currently, bronchoscopic interventions, because of their flexibility and versatility, are reliable alternative therapies in patients for whom surgical intervention is unsuitable. Possible interventions include bronchoscopic placement of blocking agents, atrial septal defect (ASD)/ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluders, airway stents, endobronchial valves (EBVs) and endobronchial Watanabe spigots (EWSs). Recent developments in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation technology and three-dimensional (3D) printed stents have also contributed to the treatment of bronchopleural fistula, but more research is needed to investigate the long-term benefits. This review focuses on the effectiveness of various bronchoscopic measures for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula and the directions for future development.

Two Cases of a Fistula Empyema in Which Surgery Was Avoided by Bronchial Embolization Using an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot and Drainage with a Digitalized Chest Drainage System (Thopaz+™)

Two Cases of a Fistula Empyema in Which Surgery Was Avoided by Bronchial Embolization Using an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot and Drainage with a Digitalized Chest Drainage System (Thopaz+™)

Successful Treatment of Fistulous Pyothorax by Bronchial Occlusion with Repetitive Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot Placement

Successful Treatment of Fistulous Pyothorax by Bronchial Occlusion with Repetitive Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot Placement

Spigot in pneumothorax cavity: A rare complication of endobronchial Watanabe spigot.

Key messageSpigot dropping is a rare but an intractable complication, because it is difficult to salvage a dropped spigot from the thoracic cavity. If the pneumothorax with a large fistula is recurrent, replacement with a larger size spigot may be recommended.

Two-loop cable car法によってEndobronchial Watanabe Spigotを誘導し気管支瘻孔を治療した術後有瘻性MRSA膿胸の1例

Two-loop cable car法によってEndobronchial Watanabe Spigotを誘導し気管支瘻孔を治療した術後有瘻性MRSA膿胸の1例

Pleurodesis After Bronchial Occlusion for Inoperable Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

In many cases of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP), surgery is not feasible. Furthermore, in cases with a collapsed lung or numerous air leaks, pleurodesis is ineffective, and treatment options are severely limited. For these cases, bronchial occlusion might be the only effective treatment, despite the low success rate. If, however, bronchial occlusion can expand the lung and reduce air leakage, it can positively amplify later effects on pleurodesis, resulting in a powerful treatment. We reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent bronchial occlusion with endobronchial Watanabe spigot (BO-EWS) and pleurodesis to investigate the usefulness of bronchial occlusion therapy in inoperable SSP patients. This single-center, retrospective study reviewed 36 cases of inoperable SSP patients who underwent pleurodesis after BO-EWS from April 2007 to October 2018. Twenty cases were allocated to the air leak analysis group, and 16 cases were included in the pneumothorax volume analysis group. The Robert David Cerfolio classification and the Collins method were used to evaluate air leak and pneumothorax volume, respectively. Pneumothorax volumes decreased significantly after BO-EWS from 29.1%±17.3% to 12.1%±8.8%, while the air leak score decreased from 2.9±1.4 to 1.2±1.0. The success rate for chest tube removals in cases that underwent pleurodesis after BO-EWS was 85.0% (17/20). This study demonstrated the synergistic effectiveness of BO-EWS and the usefulness of pleurodesis treatment in inoperable SSP patients with lung collapse or numerous air leaks. We believe that this treatment will benefit patients with inoperable SSP which, until now, has had few treatment options.

Endobronchial Watanabe spigot complementing prophylactic balloon blocker in the management of post-transbronchial cryobiopsy bleeding

Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is performed to aid diagnosis of interstitial lung disease, of which bleeding is a potentially life-threatening complication. Post-TBCB management involves temporary balloon blockade, bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) or surgery. Bronchial occlusion by endobronchial Watanabe spigot (EWS) as the definitive method of bleeding control post TBCB has not been described. A 56-year-old male underwent TBCB to aid diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. TBCB had been performed at RB4 (lateral segment of right middle lobe) with a prophylactic balloon blocker. However, prolonged bleeding was observed upon deflation of the balloon blocker. Haemostasis was secured with successful deployment of EWS into RB4, with no evidence of rebleeding in surveillance bronchoscopy and chest radiographs. EWS was kept in situ for four days and subsequently removed. The patient was discharged with good functional status. This case demonstrates that EWS placement may be considered for definitive management of low-volume post-TBCB bleeding, especially when BAE and surgical intervention are not possible.

結核後遺残腔に発症したアスペルギルス膿胸に伴う難治性気管支瘻に対してEWSとエチル2-シアノアクリレート（アロンアルファAⓇ）を用いた気管支充填術が奏効した1例

結核後遺残腔に発症したアスペルギルス膿胸に伴う難治性気管支瘻に対してEWSとエチル2-シアノアクリレート（アロンアルファAⓇ）を用いた気管支充填術が奏効した1例

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot（EWS）により外科治療を回避できた有瘻性膿胸の2症例

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot（EWS）により外科治療を回避できた有瘻性膿胸の2症例

A Case of Hemoptysis Treated by Combination Therapy of Bronchial Artery Embolization and an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot

A Case of Hemoptysis Treated by Combination Therapy of Bronchial Artery Embolization and an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot

A Case of Bronchobiliary Fistula After Hepatectomy, Temporarily Treated at the Bedside by Bronchial Occlusion with an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot

A Case of Bronchobiliary Fistula After Hepatectomy, Temporarily Treated at the Bedside by Bronchial Occlusion with an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot

A Case of Bronchobiliary Fistula Successfully Treated for Bronchial Occlusion Using Endobronchial Watanabe Spigots

A Case of Bronchobiliary Fistula Successfully Treated for Bronchial Occlusion Using Endobronchial Watanabe Spigots

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot for Pulmonary Cavities of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot for Pulmonary Cavities of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

A Successful Case of Treatment Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Bronchial Occlusion by an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot for Severe Bronchopleural Fistula

A Successful Case of Treatment Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Bronchial Occlusion by an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot for Severe Bronchopleural Fistula

Refractory secondary pneumothorax complicated with lung cancer treated by bronchial occlusion: a case report

BackgroundPneumothorax is defined as the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity. Secondary pneumothorax usually occurs in patients with overt underlying lung disease, most commonly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with poor lung function often suffer from pneumothorax with a persistent air leak. Various strategies have been employed in the treatment of such refractory pneumothorax. Bronchial occlusion with an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS) (Novatech, Grasse, France) has been shown to be useful in treating prolonged bronchopleural fistulas. Although the effects of bronchial occlusion with EWS are known, refractory pneumothorax often involves multiple affected bronchi, and in some cases the affected bronchi cannot be easily identified. In addition, secondary pneumothorax associated with advanced lung cancer often prolongs the treatment of pneumothorax, which can significantly reduce patients’ quality of life and prognosis.Case presentationWe report a case of refractory pneumothorax where collateral ventilation was successfully treated by bronchial occlusion of the affected bronchi using multiple methods. In August 2019, an 80-year-old Japanese man with asthma and COPD overlap was admitted for exacerbation triggered by respiratory tract infection. During hospitalization, he presented with chest pain due to pneumothorax. Subsequently, a chest drain tube was inserted and pleurodesis was performed; however, the lung could not be sufficiently expanded and an air leak remained. Further investigation revealed a tumor suspicious for lung cancer at the entrance of the left upper lobe bronchus. Due to poor lung function, surgical treatments were deemed high risk. Therefore, we performed bronchial occlusion using the Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (EWS). Because we could not determine the affected bronchi by computed tomography (CT), we located the affected bronchi by balloon occlusion test and bronchography with iopamidol. After occlusion, the air leak decreased but still persisted. Thus, we performed pleurodesis twice, and the air leak ceased completely.ConclusionsRefractory secondary pneumothorax, which affected multiple bronchi and developed into collateral ventilation due to lung cancer, was treated successfully with bronchial occlusion and EWS. In cases where the affected bronchi cannot be determined by the balloon occlusion test, bronchography with iopamidol might be an effective treatment.

Clinical Evaluation of Endoscopic Bronchial Occlusion with an Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot for the Management of Intractable Pneumothorax, Pyothorax with Bronchial Fistula, and Postoperative Air Leakage

Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of endoscopic bronchial occlusion (EBO) with endobronchial Watanabe spigots (EWSs) for the management of prolonged pulmonary air leaks, such as intractable pneumothorax, pyothorax with bronchial fistula, and postoperative air leakage. Methods This was a retrospective study. Between April 2005 and March 2018, we recruited 21 patients with intractable pneumothorax (10 cases), pyothorax with bronchial fistula (7 cases), and postsurgical pulmonary fistula (4 cases) in whom appropriate drainage for 2 weeks had been unsuccessful and who were unsuitable for surgery. An EWS was inserted using a flexible bronchoscope via an endotracheal or a tracheostomy tube. Results The mean number of sessions with EWS procedures was 1.94, and the mean number of inserted EWS per patient was 6.5. In addition to EWS procedures, pleural washing and pleural adhesion therapy were performed in all cases with pyothorax, whereas pleural adhesion therapy was performed in three patients with pneumothorax. The successful treatment rate was 85.7%. Reduction of air leakage was observed in 19/21 patients. The mean duration of reduction of air leaks was 4.1 days (median, 1; range, 0-24 days) following EWS procedures. The mean duration from tube insertion to chest tube removal was 43.4 days (median, 29; range, 16-105 days). Complications included spigot migration and infection (aspergillosis); no complications caused significant mortality. Conclusion Performing EBO using an EWS appears to be a reasonable option for the management of intractable pneumothorax, pyothorax with pulmonary fistula, and postoperative air leakage.