Aortobronchial fistula caused by an endobronchial lobar Y stent: a word of caution.

A 17-year-old female patient with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis was admitted with progressive dyspnoea and haemoptysis. Five months prior to admission, a left bronchial carina Y stent was implanted. Because of the already destroyed parenchyma, a pneumonectomy was planned. Intraoperatively, an aortobronchial fistula was discovered as the source of bleeding, which could be stopped by pledget-armed sutures. The formation of an aortobronchial fistula has to be considered as a potential source of endobronchial bleeding after stent implantation.