Bronchial Embolization Using the Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot (Ews)

Abstract

Bronchial embolization using the endobronchial Watanabe spigot (EWS), a bronchial embolizing device made from silicone, was performed in ten patients, including six intractable pneumothorax, two pyothorax with bronchial fistula, one bronchobiliary fistula and one post-operative gastrobronchial fistula. Successful outcome was acquired in eight cases, two cases of which needed radical operation after bronchial embolization, and in the remaining two cases bronchial embolization could not be performed due to the unability to detect any responsible bronchus of fistula. No complications occurred in any of the cases. Bronchial embolization using the EWS is easy to perform technically with full expectation of a good outcome, therefore we think that the EWS should be taken into consideration as first device of choice in the treatment of conduction such as intractable pneumothorax and bronchopleural fistule.