BT procedure
infection, bronchial thermoforming
INFECTION
Three BT sessions were performed by the same experienced respiratory interventional physician at intervals of ≥ 3 weeks. The first session was bronchus of right lower lung lobe + right main bronchus BT. The second session was bronchus of left lower lung lobe + left main bronchus BT. The third session was bilateral upper lobe BT. BT was mainly completed by the Alair bronchial thermoforming system (Boston Scientific Corporation, USA Model: M005ATS25010). The BF260 bronchoscope was purchased from Olympus Company (Japan). Under direct view of the bronchoscope, the ablation probe was inserted into the airways one by one from small airways ≥ 3 mm up to the lobar bronchial opening from the distal to proximal end. Each radiofrequency ablation lasted for 10 s. The heating catheter was moved proximally about 5 mm for the next ablation. The ablation was completed until all bronchi 3–10 mm in diameter within the selected lung lobe were visible under the microscope. The whole process was continuous, orderly and not repetitive. Prednisone (30 mg) was administered orally once daily for 3 days preoperatively, on the operation day, and 1 day postoperatively. Meanwhile, patients took antibiotics to prevent infection. The original maintenance medication remained unchanged [