Use of the Free Flap for Large Defect with Bronchopleural Fistula: Case Report

Park,  Joo Seok; Choi,  Se Hoon; Kim,  Eun Key

doi:2014.23.1.21

Arch Hand Microsurg > Volume 23(1); 2014 > Article

Case Report

Archives of Hand and Microsurgery 2014;23(1):21-24.
Published online May 30, 2014.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15596/ARMS.2014.23.1.21

Use of the Free Flap for Large Defect with Bronchopleural Fistula: Case Report

Joo Seok Park, Se Hoon Choi*, Eun Key Kim

¹Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. nicekek@korea.com
²Department Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Received: 12 March 2014 • Revised: 13 March 2014 • Accepted: 21 April 2014

Abstract

Bronchopleural fistula is an unnatural communication between the bronchial tree and pleural space. Closure of the bronchial stump using various muscular flaps has been previously reported. There have been few reports on treatment of large defects with bronchopleural fistula accompanied by surrounding muscle injury. We report on our experience with two patients suffering from large defect with bronchopleural fistula, who were treated with free flaps. No recurrence of bronchopleural fistula was observed during follow-up.

Key Words: Bronchial fistula, Free tissue flaps