For endoscopic closure of segmental and subsegmental bronchi

• Quick closure in acute situations
• Conical shape with studs on the outside
• Radiopaque
• Made of implantable silicone (> 29 days)
• Developed in close collaboration with Dr. Yoichi Watanabe, Okayama, Japan

 
Indication

• Pneumothorax
• Bleeding of the segmental or subsegmental bronchi

“Spigots represent a relatively simple method of segmental blockage in the presence of bleeding for bridging the acute situation until a definitive local therapy can be introduced.”
_{Pneumologie 2017; 71(S 01): S1-S125
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1598346}

EWS™ in situ, in correct position.

^{Image courtesy of P D Dr. med. K. Darwiche (Essen, Germany)}

EWS™ offer the benefit of a targeted closure at the (sub)segment level, whereby the ventilation of adjacent areas is not hindered.

Safe and durable

A study of 63 patients in Japan, including 40 cases of non-treatable pneumothorax, 12 cases of pyothorax with a fistula and 7 cases of pulmonary fistula, has shown that the use of EWS™ is safer and delivers longer lasting positive results than conventional methods.

After locating the affected bronchi with a balloon catheter (alternative x-ray, etc.), the EWS™ is positioned using a flexible bronchoscope and forceps that are guided through the working channel of the bronchoscope. EWS™ was successfully positioned in 96.7% of cases. The air loss was stopped or significantly reduced in 77.6% of cases. No serious complications occured.¹

_{Watanabe Y. et al. Bronchial Occlusion with Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot, J Bronchol., 10, 4, 2003}