[Surgical Approach for Treatment of Postoperative Bronchopleural Fistula and Pyothorax].

A bronchopleural fistula is a serious condition that can develop into pyothorax. The incidence of bronchopleural fistula depends on the surgical procedure. Bronchopleural fistulas are classified into early and late types based on the time of development following surgical intervention. Early-stage fistulas show poor prognosis and require prompt treatment. It is important to confirm the status of infection in the thoracic cavity to devise an optimal treatment plan. Bronchopleural fistula closure is challenging and may be unsuccessful in patients with uncontrolled infection. Immediate open window thoracostomy should be performed in patients with empyema. The window is closed after effective clearance of thoracic cavity infection. Prompt and systematic treatment improves prognosis.