Successful treatment of a bronchopleural fistula after en masse lobectomy

A 72-year-old man underwent en masse lobectomy of the lower left lobe because of continued hemoptysis. We chose en masse lobectomy as a last resort because the patient had cardiopulmonary problems including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, and continued hemoptysis. The patient developed a bronchopleural fistula 2 weeks later, so the Clagett window procedure was performed. After gauze exchange and cleaning of the pleural space, the Clagett window was closed using a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. He was discharged about 3 months after the initial operation. One of the most critical complications after en masse lobectomy is a bronchopleural fistula because the bronchial stump and vessel are too close to each other. The space between the bronchus and vessel can fill with tissue, such as pulmonary parenchyma or lymph nodes, which cover the fistula.