[Use of omental pedicle flap for the prevention of bronchopleural fistula after surgery: an unsuccessful case in a management of bronchopleural fistula].

We report a case of bronchopleural fistula after preoperative neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced lung cancer. A 55-year-old man admitted to our institution and was diagnosed to have advanced lung cancer. Right pneumonectomy was carried out after chemotherapy. Parietal pleura and the right main bronchus were thick because of severe fibrosis due to chemotherapy. On the 16th postoperative day, bronchopleural fistula was found. After drainage, further resection of bronchial stump and wrapping with omentum was carried out. However, he died of pneumonia due to repeated bronchopleural fistula. Since this experience, we use omental wrapping procedure in patients undergoing surgery for the hilar type lung cancer after chemotherapy, and conclude that omental wrapping is useful for prevention of bronchopleural fistula.