Bronchoplasty for treating the whole lung atelectasis caused by endobronchial tuberculosis in main bronchus.

BACKGROUND

Patients with the whole lung atelectasis caused by endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) in main bronchus usually undergo pneumonectomy, which may result in a large number of complications and poor quality of life. In the study, we summarized our experience with bronchoplasty treatment for the whole lung atelectasis caused by EBTB in main bronchus, in which long-term medical therapy failed.

METHODS

Eight patients with whole lung atelectasis, who suffered from EBTB in main bronchus, were treated by bronchoplasty: 3 patients were treated by bronchoplasty for the left main bronchus; 2 patients were treated by sleeve resection of right upper and middle lobes; and 3 patients were treated by sleeve resection of left upper lobe. The patients were followed up for a period of time.

RESULTS

All the patients were cured by surgery, were discharged from hospital uneventfully, had anastomotic patency and good lung expansion. Neither bronchopleural fistula nor recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchoplasty is an effective treatment for atelectasis of the whole lung caused by EBTB in the main bronchus, in which long-term medical therapy failed. Prognosis was favorable.