A new instrument for endoscopic gluing for bronchopleural fistulae

Fibrin glue was developed as a biologic adhesive and is frequently used in thoracic surgery, but no endoscopic instrument is available to spray fibrin glue. We developed an instrument, a new tube system, to aerosolize fibrin glue endoscopically to treat bronchopleural fistulae. This instrument was m ade of polypropylene, 2 mm diameter, and consisted of three microtubes, 0.3 mm diameter. Fibrinogen and thrombin glue were applied at the same time an d aerosolized by burst pressure. The use of this instrument during bronchos copy was found to increase the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment for br onchopleural fistulae. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;68:1088-9) (C) 1999 by The Soc iety of Thoracic Surgeons.