[Localization of the bronchial air leakage in pneumothorax by injection of human albumin foam].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new method to determine the bronchus for air leakage in pneumothorax by injection of human albumin foam.

METHODS

In 29 cases with pneumothorax, the bronchus responsible for air leakage was localized by injecting foam of human albumin into target bronchus under direct view of bronchoscopy.

RESULTS

The bronchus for air leakage was successfully localized in all the 29 cases of pneumothorax. The average time for locating (from injection of the foam to the localization of the bronchus) was (4.0 ± 1.2) min, and the average amount of 20% human albumin used was (8.0 ± 2.6) ml for each patient. The air leakage was treated accordingly, and occlusion by fibrin glue was successfully carried out in 21 cases and by OB glue in 8 cases. Severe cough was noted in 6, fever in 4, thoracic bleeding in 4 cases, and chest pain in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection of human albumin foam into target bronchus under bronchoscopy was a simple, safe and effective method for the localization of the bronchus for air leakage in pneumothorax.