# 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.

## Key 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.