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Ann Thorac Surg 2007;84:967-971
© 2007 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Original Articles: General Thoracic

Bronchial Stump Buttressing With an Intercostal Muscle Flap in Diabetic Patients

^a Department of Thoracic Surgery, Metaxa Anticancer Hospital, Piraeus
^b First Division of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantation Services, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens
^c Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Accepted for publication February 26, 2007.

^_* Address correspondence to Dr Kapetanakis, 1st Division of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantation Services, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 356 Sygrou Ave, Athens 176 74, Greece (Email: emmanouil.kapetanakis{at}yahoo.com).

Background: The development of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a devastating complication after lung resection. Diabetic patients exhibit a high propensity for postpneumonectomy complications, particularly BPF. This study evaluated the use of an intercostal muscle flap to reinforce the bronchus in high-risk diabetic patients after pneumonectomy.

Methods: From February 2002 to December 2005, 70 patients with established diabetes mellitus undergoing pneumonectomy were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to have their bronchial stump reinforced with an intercostal muscle flap or to a conventional resection. A univariable statistical analysis was performed to assess differences in perioperative variables and in outcomes of interest. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was also performed to evaluate the association of BPF development with a number of confounding variables, including intercostal muscle flap usage.

Results: Randomization ensured that groups were equally distributed. Mean follow-up was 18 ± 9.2 months. The group that received an intercostal muscle flap had a lower incidence of BPF development (0% versus 8.8%; p = 0.02) and of empyema (0% versus 7.4%; p = 0.05) compared with the group that received conventional pneumonectomy.

Conclusions: The low incidence of BPF and empyema observed in patients who received an intercostal muscle flap suggest that bronchial stump reinforcement with this technique is a highly effective method for the prevention of BPF in high-risk diabetic patients.

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Invited commentary

Kemp Howard Kernstine
Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2007 84: 971-972. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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				K. H. Kernstine Invited commentary Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2007; 84(3): 971 - 972. [Full Text] [PDF]