Asociación del complejo ring-sling con pig bronchus: a propósito de un caso pediátrico / Ring-sling complex association with pig bronchus: a pediatric case report

El complejo ring-sling es una asociación entre el sling de la arteria pulmonar y la estenosis traqueal congénita por anillos traqueales completos. El sling de la arteria pulmonar es una forma rara de anillo vascular dentro de las cardiopatías congénitas. Se presenta el caso clínico de un niño con estridor laríngeo asociado a dificultad respiratoria evaluado en otro centro, donde se realizó endoscopia respiratoria y se observó compresión traqueal extrínseca. Ante la sospecha clínica de anillo vascular, se solicitó angiotomografía computada (angioTC) y se confirmó diagnóstico de sling de arteria pulmonar. Fue derivado a nuestro hospital y durante la intervención quirúrgica se realizó nueva endoscopia respiratoria y traqueobroncografía. Se llegó al diagnóstico de estenosis traqueal congénita con bronquio derecho accesorio (pig bronchus) y anillos vasculares completos, ambos reparados en el mismo acto quirúrgico.

The ring-sling complex is an association between pulmonary artery sling and congenital tracheal stenosis. Pulmonary artery sling is a rare form of vascular ring in congenital heart disease. The clinical case of a child with inspiratory laryngeal stridor associated with respiratory distress is presented, evaluated in another center where respiratory endoscopy was performed, observing extrinsic tracheal compression. Given the clinical suspicion of a vascular ring, CT angiography was requested, confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary artery sling. He was referred to our hospital and during the surgical intervention a new respiratory endoscopy and tracheobronchography were performed, reaching the diagnosis of congenital tracheal stenosis, right accessory bronchus (pig bronchus) and complete vascular rings, both repaired in the same surgical act.

Effects of bronchial thermoplasty and cryoablation on airway smooth muscle / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The effectiveness of bronchial thermoplasty (BT) has been reported in patients with severe asthma. This study compared the effects of BT and cryoballoon ablation (CBA) therapy on the airway smooth muscle (ASM).@*METHODS@#Eight healthy male beagle dogs were included in this experiment. In the preliminary experiment, one dog received BT treatment for both lower lobe bronchus, another dog received CBA treatment for 7 s on the upper and lower lobe of right bronchus, and 30 s on the left upper and lower lobe. The treatments were performed twice at an interval of 1 month. In subsequent experiments, the right lower lobe bronchus was treated with BT, and the left lower lobe bronchus was treated with CBA. The effects of treatment were observed after 1 (n = 3) month and 6 months (n = 3). Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining, and immunohistochemical staining were used to compare the effects of BT and CBA therapy on the ASM thickness, collagen fibers synthesis, and M3 receptor expression after treatment. One-way analysis of variance with Dunnett post hoc test was used to analyze the differences among groups.@*RESULTS@#In the preliminary experiment, the ASM ablation effect of 30-s CBA was equivalent to that of 7-s CBA (ASM thickness: 30.52 ± 7.75 μm vs. 17.57 ± 15.20 μm, P = 0.128), but the bronchial mucociliary epithelium did not recover, and large numbers of inflammatory cells had infiltrated the mucosal epithelium at 1-month post-CBA with 30-s freezing. Therefore, we chose 7 s as the CBA treatment time in our follow-up experiments. Compared with the control group (35.81 ± 11.02 μm), BT group and CBA group (13.41 ± 4.40 μm and 4.81 ± 4.44 μm, respectively) had significantly decreased ASM thickness after 1 month (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the ASM thickness was significantly lower in the 1-month post-CBA group than in the 1-month post-BT group (P = 0.015). There was no significant difference in ASM thickness between the BT and CBA groups after six months (9.92 ± 4.42 μm vs. 7.41 ± 7.20 μm, P = 0.540). Compared with the control group (0.161 ± 0.013), the average optical density of the ASM M3 receptor was significantly decreased in 6-month post-BT, 1-month post-CBA, and 6-month post-CBA groups (0.070 ± 0.022, 0.072 ± 0.012, 0.074 ± 0.008, respectively; all P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the average optical density of ASM M3 receptor between the BT and CBA therapy groups after six months (P = 0.613).@*CONCLUSIONS@#CBA therapy effectively ablates the ASM, and its ablation effect is equivalent to that of BT with a shorter onset time. A neural mechanism is involved in both BT and CBA therapy.

Tracheobronchial injuries in chest trauma: a 17-year experience / Lesões traqueobrônquicas no trauma torácico: experiência de 17 anos

ABSTRACT Objective: to discuss the clinical and therapeutic aspects of tracheobronchial lesions in victims of thoracic trauma. Methods: we analyzed the medical records of patients with tracheobronchial lesions treated at the São Paulo Holy Home from April 1991 to June 2008. We established patients' severity through physiological (RTS) and anatomical trauma indices (ISS, PTTI). We used TRISS (Trauma Revised Injury Severity Score) to evaluate the probability of survival. Results: nine patients had tracheobronchial lesions, all males, aged between 17 and 38 years. The mean values ​​of the trauma indices were: RTS - 6.8; ISS - 38; PTTI - 20.0; and TRISS - 0.78. Regarding the clinical picture, six patients displayed only emphysema of the thoracic wall or the mediastinum and three presented with hemodynamic or respiratory instability. The time interval from patient admission to diagnosis ranged from one hour to three days. Cervicotomy was performed in two patients and thoracotomy, in seven (77.7%), being bilateral in one case. Length of hospitalization ranged from nine to 60 days, mean of 21. Complications appeared in four patients (44%) and mortality was nil. Conclusion: tracheobronchial tree trauma is rare, it can evolve with few symptoms, which makes immediate diagnosis difficult, and presents a high rate of complications, although with low mortality.

RESUMO Objetivo: discutir os aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos de lesões traqueobrônquicas em vítimas de trauma torácico. Métodos: análise de dados dos prontuários de pacientes com lesões traqueobrônquicas atendidas na Santa Casa de São Paulo no período de abril de 1991 a junho de 2008. A caracterização da gravidade dos doentes foi feita por meio de índices de trauma fisiológico (RTS) e anatômicos (ISS, PTTI). O TRISS (Trauma Revised Injury Severity Score) foi utilizado para avaliar a probabilidade de sobrevida. Resultados: nove doentes tinham lesões traqueobrônquicas, todos do sexo masculino, com idades entre 17 e 38 anos. Os valores médios dos índices de trauma foram: RTS- 6,8; ISS- 38; PTTI-20,0; TRISS-0,78. Com relação ao quadro clínico, seis apresentaram apenas enfisema de parede torácica ou do mediastino e três doentes se apresentaram com instabilidade hemodinâmica ou respiratória. O intervalo de tempo necessário para se firmar o diagnóstico, desde a admissão do doente, variou de uma hora a três dias. Cervicotomia foi realizada em dois pacientes e toracotomia foi realizada em sete (77,7%), sendo bilateral em um caso. O tempo de internação variou de nove a 60 dias, média de 21 dias. Complicações apareceram em quatro pacientes (44%) e a mortalidade foi nula. Conclusão: o trauma da árvore traqueobrônquica é raro, pode evoluir com poucos sintomas, o que dificulta o diagnóstico imediato, e apresenta alto índice de complicações embora com baixa mortalidade.

Electrocauterio y broncoscopia flexible como primera medida en la obstrucción central de la vía aérea y hemoptisis asociada / Electrocautery and bronchoscopy as a first step for the management of central airway obstruction and associated hemoptysis

Background: Central airway obstruction caused by malignant or benign lesions, associated in some cases with hemoptysis, is a condition with high morbidity and mortality. The use of electrocautery by flexible bronchoscopy is an initial treatment option with immediate improvement of obstruction symptoms. It is as effective as Nd: YAG laser. Aim: To describe the usefulness of electrocautery in the management of central obstruction of the airway and hemoptysis. Material and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of patients referred for management of central airway obstruction or associated hemoptysis. Diagnoses, symptoms (dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis) and radiology before and after the procedures were analyzed. Results: Eighteen patients aged 59 ± 12 years (66% males) were evaluated, registering 25 endoscopic procedures. Three conditions were found: partial or complete airway obstruction, hemoptysis and post lung transplant bronchial stenosis. Seventy two percent presented with dyspnea, 61% with cough and 33% with hemoptysis. Sixty six percent of patients had airway obstruction caused by malignant metastatic lesions. After electrocautery, 17 patients (94.4%) improved their symptoms and achieved complete airway clearing. Three patients had significant bronchial stenosis after lung transplant achieving subsequent clearing after electrocautery. Conclusions: Electrocautery during flexible bronchoscopy is an effective and safe procedure for the management of central airway obstruction and associated hemoptysis.

Successful anesthetic management in a child after traumatic rupture of left main bronchus by a single-lumen cuffed-endotracheal tube.

Tracheobronchial injury (TBI) may lead to catastrophe if remains undetected or managed improperly. The incidence of TBI is less in children as compared with adults due to their pliable chest wall. Its clinical manifestations include persistent pneumothorax, cervical subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, cyanosis, and respiratory insufficiency. The recommended airway management is to intubate the healthy bronchus with a single‑lumen or double‑lumen endotracheal tube (ET) and bypassing the injured side. We report successful anesthetic management of traumatic rupture of the left main bronchus in a child by using a single‑lumen cuffed‑ET. Many factors affect the outcome of such injuries and include the extent of the lesion, the resulting pulmonary status, the adequacy of surgical reconstruction. More severe injury may require lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Early diagnosis and proper management result in good functional outcome.

Modified method for bronchial suture by Ramirez Gama compared to separate stitches suture: experimental study / Sutura de brônquios pelo método de Ramirez Gama modificado comparada à sutura com pontos separados: estudo experimental

OBJECTIVE: To experimentally compare two classic techniques described for manual suture of the bronchial stump. METHODS: We used organs of pigs, with isolated trachea and lungs, preserved by refrigeration. We dissected 30 bronchi, which were divided into three groups of ten bronchi each, of 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm, respectively. In each, we performed the suture with simple, separated, extramucosal stitches in five other bronchi, and the technique proposed by Ramirez and modified by Santos et al in the other five. Once the sutures were finished, the anastomoses were tested using compressed air ventilation, applying an endotracheal pressure of 20mmHg. RESULTS: the Ramirez Gama suture was more effective in the bronchi of 3, 5 and 7 mm, and there was no air leak even after subjecting them to a tracheal pressure of 20mmHg. The simple interrupted sutures were less effective, with extravasation in six of the 15 tested bronchi, especially in the angles of the sutures. These figures were not significant (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: manual sutures of the bronchial stumps were more effective when the modified Ramirez Gama suture was used in the caliber bronchi arms when tested with increased endotracheal pressure. .

OBJETIVO: comparar experimentalmente duas técnicas clássicas descritas para a sutura manual do coto brônquico. MÉTODOS: foram empregadas vísceras de suínos com a traqueia e os pulmões isolados, conservados por refrigeração. Foram dissecados 30 brônquios, divididos em três grupos de dez brônquios cada, com 3mm, 5mm e 7mm, respectivamente. Em cada um dos grupos foi realizada a sutura com pontos simples separados extramucosos em cinco brônquios e nos outros cinco, foi empregada a técnica proposta por Ramirez Gama e modificada por Santos et al. Terminadas as suturas, as anastomoses foram testadas com ventilação empregando ar comprimido, submetidas a uma pressão endotraqueal de 20mmHg. RESULTADOS: os pontos de Ramirez Gama foram mais efetivos em brônquios de 3, 5 e 7 mm, e não houve extravasamento de ar mesmo após submetê-los a uma pressão endotraqueal de 20mmHg. Os pontos simples separados foram menos efetivos, havendo extravasamento em seis dos 15 brônquios testados, principalmente nos ângulos das suturas. Estes números não foram significativos (p=0,08). . CONCLUSÃO: as suturas manuais dos cotos brônquicos foram mais efetivas quando o ponto de Ramirez Gama modificado foi utilizado nos brônquios de pequeno calibre quando testados com aumento da pressão endotraqueal. .

Management of a case of left tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass: Anesthesia perspectives.

The lung tumors with carinal involvement are frequently managed with tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy and tracheobronchial anastomosis without use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Various modes of ventilation have been described during tracheal resection and anastomosis. Use of CPB during this period allows the procedure to be conducted in a more controlled way. We performed tracheal sleeve pneumonectomy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of left lung involving carina. The surgery was performed in two stages. In the first stage, left pneumonectomy was performed and in the second stage after 48 h, tracheobronchial resection and anastomosis was performed under CPB. Second stage was delayed to avoid excessive bleeding (due to heparinization) from the extensive vascular raw area left after pneumonectomy. Meticulous peri‑operative planning and optimal post‑operative care helped in successful management of a complex case, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Perioperative management of tracheobronchial injury following blunt trauma.

We describe tracheobronchial injury (TBI) in a 17-year-old teenager following blunt trauma resulting from a road traffic accident. The patient presented to a peripheral hospital with swelling over the neck and face associated with bilateral pneumothorax for which bilateral intercostal drains were inserted and the patient was transferred to our institute. Fiber-optic videobronchoscopy (FOB) was performed, the trachea and bronchi were visualized, and the site and extent of injury was assessed. Spontaneous respiration was maintained till assessment of the airway. Then the patient was anesthetized with propofol and paralyzed using succinylcholine and a double-lumen endobronchial tube was inserted; thereafter, the adequacy of controlled manual ventilation and air-leak through intercostal drains was assessed and the patient was transferred to operating room (OR) for repair of the airway injury. The OR was kept ready during FOB to manage any catastrophe. This case describes the need for proper preparation and communication between health care team members to manage all possible scenarios of traumatic TBI.

Endobronchial rupture of pulmonary hydatid cyst followed by anaphylactic shock and full recovery

A 36 years old woman with a past history of multiple hydatid cysts in liver presented with dry cough and low grade fever. She was found to have a large hydatid cyst in the left lower lobe of lung which ruptured endobronchially. At the time of induction of anesthesia, the cyst ruptured and she went into anaphylactic shock and then cardiac arrest. She was successfully resuscitated and later on a partial pneumonectomy was done. She made an uneventful recovery. Although hydatid cyst is a globally prevalent disease and has a low mortality rate but a ruptured cyst has a relatively high mortality and morbidity in terms of dissemination of disease into other parts of body therefore a careful follow-up is required in case of rupture of the cyst

The effects on mucociliary clearance of prednisone associated with bronchial section

OBJECTIVE: Infections have been and remain the major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Because mucociliary clearance plays an important role in human defense mechanisms, the influence of drugs on the mucociliary epithelium of patients undergoing lung transplantation must be examined. Prednisone is the most important corticosteroid used after lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bronchial transection and prednisone therapy on mucociliary clearance. METHODS: A total of 120 rats were assigned to 4 groups according to surgical procedure or drug therapy: prednisone therapy (1.25 mg/kg/day); bronchial section and anastomosis + prednisone therapy (1.25 mg/kg/day); bronchial section + saline solution (2 ml/day); and saline solution (2 ml/day). After 7, 15, or 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the lungs were removed from the thoracic cavity. The in situ mucociliary transport velocity, ciliary beat frequency and in vitro mucus transportability were evaluated. RESULTS: Animals undergoing bronchial section surgery and anastomosis had a significant decrease in the ciliary beat frequency and mucociliary transport velocity 7 and 15 days after surgery (p<0.001). These parameters were normalized 30 days after the surgical procedure. Prednisone improved mucous transportability in the animals undergoing bronchial section and anastomosis at 15 and 30 days (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bronchial section and anastomosis decrease mucociliary clearance in the early postoperative period. Prednisone therapy improves mucus transportability in animals undergoing bronchial section and anastomosis.

Plásticas bronquiales como alternativa terapéutica en lesiones centrales / Bronchoplastic as a therapeutic alternative in central lesions

Introducción: Los procedimientos broncoplásticos son útiles en lesiones de localización central. El objetivo es describir la serie de plásticas bronquiales realizadas por el mismoequipo quirúrgico en dos centros de Argentina. Pacientes y métodos: 54 plásticas bronquiales realizadas desde enero de 1978 hasta diciembre del 2009 fueron analizadas. Las lesiones fueron categorizadas como benignas,de bajo y alto grado de malignidad para el análisis. Resultados: Se practicaron 29 lobectomías asociadas a plástica bronquial (54%), 21 resecciones en manguito (39%) y 4 lobectomías asociadas a plástica bronquial y arterial(7%). El promedio de edad de los pacientes con lesiones de bajo grado de malignidad es significativamente menor (34 años vs 53 p=0.0025), mientras que la prevalencia del sexo masculino (37.5% vs 75%, p=0.051), el antecedente de tabaquismo (31% vs 75%, p=0.002) y el número de plásticas vasculares (2.5% vs 37.5%, p=0.002) fue mayor entre los carcinomas. El riesgo de muerte fue 9 veces mayor entre los carcinomas (HR8.64, IC 95% 1.6-47.7, p=0.013), sin diferencias significativas en la supervivencia a 5 años y 10 años entre los dos grupos. Conclusiones: los procedimientos broncoplásticos permiten una resección oncológicaviable con preservación de parénquima pulmonar sin afectar la supervivencia alejada.

Introduction: bronchoplastic procedures are useful in tumours of central location.The aim of this study is to describe the range of bronchoplastic procedures performed by the same surgical team at two centers in Argentina. Patients and methods: The study included 54 bronchoplastic therapies made fromJanuary 1978 through December 2009. The lesions were classified as benign, low grade of malignancy and high grade of malignancy. Results: 29 sleeve lobectomies (54%), 21 sleeve resections (39%) and 4 lobectomieswith bronchovascular plastic procedures (7%) were performed. The mean age ofpatients with low grade of malignancy was significantly lower (34 years vs. 53 years; p = 0.0025), whereas male prevalence (37.5% vs 75%, p = 0.051), smoking habit history (31% vs 75%, p = 0.002) and number of bronchovascular plastic procedures(2.5% vs 37.5%, p = 0.002) was higher in cases of high grade of malignancy. The risk of death was 9 times higher in these patients (HR 8.64, 95% CI 1.6-47.7, p = 0.013) but no significant differences in survival at 5 and 10 years between the twogroups were observed. Conclusions: bronchoplastic procedures allow oncologic resection with preservationof lung parenchyma without affecting survival.

Initial experience of endobronchial silicon stents from a tertiary care centre in north India.

Background. Central airway obstruction (CAO) is defined as obstruction of trachea and principal bronchi. Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy with tracheobronchial stenting using silicon stents is a well established procedure in the management of such conditions. However, there is limited experience with this technique in India. Methods. Between January 2010 and April 2010, Dumon stents were placed in four patients with CAO. Three patients had symptomatic tracheal stenosis while one patient had malignant obstruction at the carina. Rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia was performed to relieve the CAO followed by placement of silicon stents. Pre- and post-stent placement symptom assessment was performed with a symptom-based visual analogue scale. Results. Four patients underwent silicon stent placement in the tracheobronchial tree. Three patients had benign postintubation tracheal stenosis and one had malignant tracheal obstruction at carina due to endobronchial growth. Significant improvement was achieved in all patients. There were no significant complications. Conclusions. Rigid bronchoscopy with silicon stent placement is an effective and suitable method of relieving the distressing symptoms due to benign or malignant airway obstruction.

Effects of mycophenolate sodium on mucociliary clearance using a bronchial section and anastomosis rodent model

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of mycophenolate sodium on mucociliary clearance. INTRODUCTION: Mycophenolate is one of the most commonly used immunosuppressive drugs in lung transplantation. Although its pharmacokinetic properties are well defined, its side effects on mucociliary clearance have not yet been studied. METHODS: Sixty rats were subjected to left bronchial section and anastomosis. The right bronchus was used as a control. After surgery, the rats were assigned to two groups based on whether they received saline solution (n = 30) or mycophenolate sodium (n = 30). After 7, 15, or 30 days of treatment, 10 animals from each group were sacrificed, and in vitro mucus transportability, in situ mucociliary transport velocity and ciliary beat frequency were measured. RESULTS: The analysis of mucus transportability revealed that neither mycophenolate nor bronchial section altered any transportability related property for up to 30 days of treatment after surgery (p>0.05). With regard to ciliary beat frequency, the operated left bronchi from the mycophenolate group showed a significant decrease on post-surgical day 30 (p = 0.003). In addition, we found a significant reduction in the in situ mucociliary transport velocity in the mycophenolate-treated group (p = 0.0001). DISCUSSION: These data add important information regarding mucociliary clearance dysfunction following mycophenolate therapy and suggest that mycophenolate might contribute to the high incidence of respiratory tract infections in lung transplant patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the combined action of mycophenolate with other immunosuppressive drugs and to establish methods to protect and recover mucociliary clearance, an important airway defense mechanism.

Termoplastia brônquica: relato do primeiro tratamento endoscópico de asma na América Latina / Bronchial thermoplasty: report on the first endoscopic treatment for asthma in Latin America

A termoplastia brônquica é um novo procedimento broncoscópico que libera energia por radiofreqüência nas vias aéreas, com potencial redução da broncoconstrição causada pela contratura da musculatura lisa. Relatamos o caso de um homem de 48 anos, portador de asma persistente moderada, submetido à termoplastia brônquica. O tratamento aumentou o volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo, aumentou o número de dias livres de sintomas, reduziu o uso da medicação de resgate e melhorou o escore no questionário de Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Scale. A termoplastia brônquica foi bem tolerada e segura. Esta foi a primeira termoplastia brônquica na América Latina, com resultados estimulantes após 12 meses quanto ao seu potencial benefício em asmáticos pouco controlados.

Bronchial thermoplasty is a new bronchoscopic procedure that delivers radiofrequency energy to the airway and potentially reduces the smooth muscle-mediated bronchoconstriction. We report the case of a 48-year-old man with persistent moderate asthma submitted to bronchial thermoplasty. The treatment increased the forced expiratory volume in one second, increased the number of symptom-free days, reduced the use of relief medications, and improved the Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Scale score. In this patient, bronchial thermoplasty was well tolerated and safe. This was the first bronchial thermoplasty performed in Latin America. At 12 months after the procedure, the results were encouraging in terms of its potential benefits in patients with difficult-to-control asthma.

Traumatic rupture of the right main bronchus: a rare clinical entity?

Tracheo-bronchial disruption is an uncommon injury usually associated with severe, blunt thoracic trauma and rarely occurs in isolation. Due to the natural anatomic protection of the thoracic bronchial tree, severe trauma is required to disrupt it and is usually associated with multiple injuries. We report on a patient who suffered antero-posterior compression trauma to the chest and developed severe right bronchial injury

Surgical experience of fracture bronchus

Bronchial fractures are rare, but life threatening. Their successful diagnosis and treatment require a high level of suspicion and early surgical repair. We reviewed our experience in managing these injuries over the past 10 years. Patients who were admitted to the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Suez Canal University Hospital and treated for bronchial fractures from 1995 to 2005 were included in this study. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and outcome were reviewed. Bronchoscopy identified the location of injury as fracture of the right mainstem bronchus [n=4], fracture of the left mainstem bronchus [n=3] and fracture of the right intermediate bronchus [n=2]. All patients survived after thoracotomy and primary surgical repair except two patients who died due to associated head and intra-abdominal injuries. Bronchial fracture is an unusual complication of blunt chest trauma, and the diagnosis can be delayed unless the treating medical staff has a high index of clinical suspicion in addition to the correct interpretation of clinical and radiological findings. Where the diagnosis is suspected, bronchoscopy should be performed then, progress to thoracotomy and primary surgical repair to minimize the morbidity and mortality of such injuries

Estudo comparativo entre a resistência das suturas manual e mecânica do coto brônquico em cães submetidos a pneumonectomia esquerda / Comparative study of the resistance of manual and mechanical sutures in the bronchial stump of dogs submitted to left pneumonectomy

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar a resistência da sutura manual e da sutura mecânica imediatamente após a sutura do coto brônquico esquerdo de cães submetidos a pneumonectomia. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 15 cães mestiços, de ambos os sexos, com peso variando entre 8 e 23 kg, distribuídos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos. No grupo I (n = 7), o fechamento do coto brônquico foi realizado com sutura manual (método de Sweet) e, no grupo II, utilizou-se sutura mecânica com grampeador. Imediatamente após o fechamento do coto brônquico, foi provocado aumento da pressão intratraqueal de forma progressiva e controlada. RESULTADOS: A média de pressão de ruptura da linha de sutura do coto brônquico foi 33,71 mmHg no grupo I e 89,87 mmHg no grupo II (p < 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Esses dados nos permitiram concluir que a sutura mecânica do coto brônquico esquerdo, submetida a pressão imediatamente após a sua realização, apresenta maior resistência que a sutura manual em cães submetidos a pneumonectomia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the resistance of manual suture with that of mechanical suture immediately after the suture of the left bronchial stump of dogs submitted to pneumonectomy. METHODS: A total of 15 mixed-breed dogs of both genders, each weighing between 8 and 23 kg, were randomly divided into 2 groups. In group I (n = 7), the bronchial stump was sutured manually (the Sweet method) and, in group II (n = 8), it was stapled. Immediately after the closure of the bronchial stump, the intratracheal pressure was progressively increased in a controlled manner. RESULTS: The mean rupture pressure of the bronchial stump suture line was 33.71 mmHg in group I and 89.87 mmHg in group II (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These data allowed us to conclude that mechanical suture of the bronchial stump, submitted to pressure immediately after closure, is more resistant than is manual suture in dogs submitted to pneumonectomy.