Simultaneous Bilateral Endobronchial Valve Insertion for Management of Persistent Air Leaks Secondary to Necrotising Pneumonia

TL;DR

A critically ill patient with persistent air leaks from pneumonia was successfully treated using bilateral endobronchial valves, offering a new minimally invasive approach.

Contribution

This case demonstrates the feasibility and clinical success of simultaneous bilateral endobronchial valve insertion for persistent air leaks.

Findings

Bilateral endobronchial valves effectively managed persistent air leaks in a critically ill patient.

The approach provided a minimally invasive alternative to surgical repair in a rare clinical scenario.

Abstract

Pneumothorax is an abnormal communication between the tracheobronchial tree and the pleural space either as a result of a broncho‐pleural fistula or an alveolo‐pleural fistula. When the air leak from these fistulae persists beyond 5 days it is defined as a persistent air leak (PAL). Whilst surgical repair remains the standard of care, endobronchial valves (EBVs), established for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR), are emerging as a minimally invasive alternative. Current data supporting the use of EBVs in PAL are limited to case reports and small retrospective case series. This report details a rare case of bilateral PAL secondary to necrotising pneumonia in a critical ill patient, successfully managed with simultaneous bilateral EBV placement, highlighting the feasibility and clinical efficacy of this approach.

This report details a rare case of bilateral PAL secondary to necrotising pneumonia in a critically ill patient, successfully managed with simultaneous bilateral endobronchial valves placement, highlighting the feasibility and clinical efficacy of this approach.

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