Endobronchial closure of bronchopleural fistula using Amplatzer device

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is an uncommon, but severe complication of lobectomy and pneumonectomy and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates (1,2). The incidence of BPF has been significantly reduced in the last decades, but still represents a serious complication. The incidence is significantly higher after pneumonectomy compared to lobectomy and ranges between 0.5% and 5.9% (3). The mortality rate associated with BPF is alarmingly high and ranges between 16% and 71% (2,4). Differences in the incidence of BPF have been described according to the side of surgical procedure: higher incidence has been reported for right-sided pneumonectomy and for right lobectomy of the lower lobe (2,3,5). Moreover, patients with malignant conditions show significantly higher rates of BPF than patients with benign disease (1)