Spontaneous closure of a metachronous brochopleural fistula after omentoplasty for a preceding fistula: Case report

INTRODUCTION: A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) after an anatomical lung resection commonly arises singly. We report a case of a metachronous BPF, which developed after omentoplasty of a preceding fistula and subsequently closed without any intervention. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old patient underwent omentoplasty for a brochopleural fistula (BPF) following a right lower lobectomy. A sudden massive air leak developed from the novel BPF approximately 1 cm proximal to the preceding fistula 3 days later. The air leak resolved spontaneously without any intervention one week later. The corresponding fistula was found to be completely closed. Computed tomography showed the omental flap covered both fistulae. CONCLUSION: The present case suggested that a metachronous BPF could develop and a harvested omental flap might migrate even after being anchored.