Cartilage folding method for main bronchial stapling.

Bronchopleural fistula is one of the most severe complications of lung operations. To prevent bronchopleural fistula, we modified the stapling technique to include folding of both sides of the cartilaginous main bronchus. This reduces the tension at the center of the membranous portion of the airway. From 1991 to 1994, this technique was performed in 7 patients. Despite the fact that 4 of these patients received adjuvant therapy, none had development of a bronchopleural fistula.