Bronchopleurobiliary fistula following right lower lobectomy in a patient with prior hepatic abscess: a case report

In a 68-year-old male patient with cholangitis microabscess in the liver, cavitary lung cancer of the right lower lobe was incidentally diagnosed. The patient’s medical history comprised totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) and cholecystectomy 9 years ago. Before TLDG, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed because of a common bile duct stone and cholangitis. Three months ago, he was readmitted with cholangitic microabscess, and a cavitary lesion of right lower lobe was detected incidentally. Hepatobiliary microabscess was improved with ERCP and antibiotic treatment. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) right lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were undergone uneventfully. Pneumonic infiltration in the right lower lung field and hydropneumothorax on the right side were developed on postoperative day 10. Chest computed tomography showed pneumobilia and micro-bronchopleural fistula (BPF) was suspected with bronchoscopic examination. Despite antibiotics usage and thoracic suction, air leakage could not be improved. VATS Talc pleurodesis was performed on postoperative day 38. Contralateral pneumonia developed 1 week following talc pleurodesis. Furthermore, bilirubin was detected in the repeated bronchial washing and pleural fluid and they showed the same color and nature. Though ERCP and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, the patient’s condition deteriorated and the patient passed away on postoperative day 60. Bronchopleurobiliary fistula is an extremely rare complication after thoracic surgery for which surgical treatment is challenging, early recognition of a developing fistula and the aggressive treatment at an early stage can reduce the associated morbidity and mortality from the sequelae of this rare disease entity.