Endobronchial valve and vacuum-assisted closure treatment for a complicated air leak problem after cardiac surgery

Abstract

In this article, we report a 57-year-old male patient who developed mediastinitis due to massive air leak after coronary bypass surgery and deteriorated with endobronchial valve application. The patient underwent a long and complicated treatment process with open drainage and vacuum-assisted closure applications and recovered. Although endobronchial valve applications are efficient in the treatment of prolonged air leak, we recommend considering open drainage and vacuum-assisted closure if infectious complications occur.