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Has anyone had a problem with a fistula in the bronchial "stump" after having the lung surgically removed (pneumonectomy)? I will be having another major surgery soon to try and repair the leak for the third time. This time there will be a thoracic surgeon and a plastic surgeon to use muscle and tissue from the lower belly to fortify the area. Has anyone else experienced something similar?
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I'm so sorry you are experiencing this. I also had my right lung removed, but had no problems post op. Your story makes me even more grateful for the grace I received and the wonderful doctors I had.
Sounds like you will have the right team of experts in there to do it right this time. You must be very discouraged at this point. Once they fix it, you will be able to go and enjoy the rest of the summer.
My warm thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you MarionW! I appreciate your kind thoughts and I'm looking forward to breathing easier very soon. When did you have your surgery? Jan
My Mom just had a lobectomy, and they used muscle from her ribs to fortify the area. Just wanted to mention that, hopefully that will help her avoid the problem you are having. Best of luck!
It sounds like her doctors were very wise! Thanks for the good wishes!
Jan, I had a pneumonectomy in Aug.2006, The Dr. removed my right lung, the tumour was in my bronchus, removed it next to the trachea.
I was wondering what happened when it started leaking? The symptons and such...
You are in my prayers, it does sound like you will have a good team of doctors. Please keep us posted.
Rose
Thank you Rose. As you probably know, the lung cavity should fill up with fluid after the pneumonectomy. In my case, it only filled about 50%. We know now that it was due to a small leak. I began coughing up the fluid (yellow and thin) and having shortness of breath.
My husband had a rt lung pneumonectomy in June 2006. In September during a routine X-Ray the surgeon saw that the fluid level (which had been rising) began to drop. He said it was a fistula and that he needed to repair it by going down his throat and trying to create scar tissue with needle and meds. He told us he would have the procedure a few times and that hopefully the hole would heal and begin to fill. My husband underwent the procedure 3 times over the course of about 6-8 weeks and he has maintained his fluid level since then. I know it is not pleasant and the chance of this occuring is slim but he made it thru it - wishing you the best.
Stacey
Thank you Stacey. My first repair was done by a bronchoscopy and the doctor used glue. With the second repair, he went back in through the same incisions to resuture it. I imagine that each case is different and it probably depends on the location of the fistula. This time I have new doctors and feel that the third time is the charm! Glad to hear your husband is doing well and thank you for your input! Jan
Where are you getting this done at? Where in the stump is it? Muscle and tissue is a better route because it gives, (the lung is an organ that expands as you breathe). There's also groups who are growing lung tissue (made up of cells of your own) to patch up fistulas, holes etc. Integra life sciences is one of the groups, and there's a couple other groups who do this. If you'd like more information please hit me up. But also let me know where you are getting this done at. I ask because there are some hospitals that tend to botch up and dont have the best groups for fixing fistulas.
The fistula is located at the lower end of the stump. The surgery will be in Florida at Boca Raton Community Hospital.
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