Omentoplasty in the treatment of bronchopleural fistula after pulmonary resections

Purpose: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a complication that can occur after pulmonary resections onset may be early or late. This study aims to present our results using omentoplasty in the treatment of BPF. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of patients who developed BPF after pulmonary resection between 2010 and 2020. The results of the patients who underwent omentoplasty during surgical revision for BPF were analyzed in terms of surgical methods used, timing of the procedure, and surgical success. Results: BPF formed in 52 (2.1%) of 2486 patients who underwent anatomical lung resection. Fourteen (26.9%) of the patients with BPF were treated with omentoplasty. All of the patients were men and the median age was 58 years (range, 27-75 years). Among the patients who underwent omentoplasty, the median time from pulmonary resection to BPF development was 22 days (range, 4-221 days). The median time from BPF development to omentoplasty was 9.5 days (range, 4-485 days). Seven (50%) of the patients developed BPF after pneumonectomy and the other 7 (50%) after lobectomy. Most post-pneumonectomy BPFs occurred after right pneumonectomy (n=6, 85.7%). BPF developing after right pneumonectomy constituted 43% of all BPFs (n=6). Surgical success was achieved in 13 (92.9%) of the 14 patients who underwent BPF closure with omentoplasty. Conclusion: Omentoplasty has low complication and high success rates and can be used safely for the treatment of BPF.