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Difficult Closure of Open‐Window Thoracostomy After Drainage of an Infected Pulmonary Bulla

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Percutaneous drainage can be used to treat infected pulmonary bullae unresponsive to antibiotics; however, it carries a high risk of bronchopleural fistula and empyema. We report the case of an elderly man with an infected pulmonary bulla successfully treated with percutaneous drainage followed by open-window thoracostomy (OWT) for persistent air leakage. Although the infection was controlled, closing the OWT was challenging due to recurrent bronchial fistulae despite repeated surgeries. This case highlights the need to carefully identify and close all bronchial openings in the cyst wall to achieve successful closure after OWT in patients with severely infected bullae.

Source: Respirology Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.70500

Authors: Kazuki Sato, Taiki Sato, Masahiro Miyajima, Hirofumi Uehara

Institutions: Hakodate Goryoukaku Hospital, Sapporo Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,130