Author(s)

Harinder Singh Bedi^*, Kamal Negi

Christian Medical College & Hopital, Ludhiana, India.

Objective: The development of a bronchopleural fistula is a devastating complication after lung resection. We describe a new method of buttressing the closure of the stump in diabetic patients using a pedicled internal mammary artery buttress flap to avoid a bronchopleural fistula. Methods: An internal mammary pedicled flap was used in 14 diabetic patients of lung resection to cover the bronchial stump. Results: The flap of viable vascularized muscle mass gave an excellent coverage of the bronchial stump. All patients recovered well with no bronchopleural fistula. Conclusions: We recommend this technique as a method of buttressing the bronchial stump in cases of lung resection, as the internal mammary artery is easily available and its use is not associated with any side effects.

Lung, Lobectomy (Lung), Thoracotomy

Bedi, H. and Negi, K. (2014) The “Bedi-IMA Buttress”: Reinforcement of the Bronchial Stump with a Pedicled Internal Mammary Artery Buttress in Diabetic Patients after Lung Resection. World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 4, 223-226. doi: 10.4236/wjcs.2014.412032.