A Novel Approach: Treatment of Bronchial Stump Fistula With a Plugged, Bullet-Shaped, Angled Stent

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial clinical efficacy of a plugged, bullet-shaped, angled stent for managing bronchial stump fistula. Description The stent consisted of two parts. The body part had a diameter of 18 25 mm and was 30 mm long in a tubular configuration covered with polyethylene at the lower part. The bronchial limb was a bullet-shaped configuration with a dead end, 11 14 mm in diameter, 10 30 mm long covered with polyethylene. The body part and the bronchial limb were connected at the angled portion without overlap with use of nitinol wire and polyethylene. The stents were placed in 6 patients under fluoroscopic guidance. Evaluation Stent placement was technically successful in all patients without complications. Immediate closure of the bronchial stump fistula was achieved in all patients after stent placement. Follow-up of 4 16 months, permanent closure of the bronchial pleural fistula was achieved in 4 patients (66.67%), and permanent closure of the bronchial stump fistula was achieved in 5 patients (83.33%). No complications occurred. Conclusions Closure of the bronchial stump fistula with the stent was a simple, safe, and effective procedure.