Treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema and associated bronchopleural fistula. Experience of 100 consecutive postpneumonectomy patients |
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Authors: | S Eerola L Virkkula E Varstela |
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Institution: | Surgical Department, Central Hospital of Kanta-H?me, H?meenlinna, Finland. |
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Abstract: | Experience in the management of 100 consecutive patients with postpneumonectomy empyema is presented. Open-window thoracostomy was used for treatment of the empyema in all cases. The patients were grouped according to surgical procedure after this treatment. In group 1 the thoracostomy window was left permanently open. In group 2 it was closed, and in group 3 the open pleural cavity was covered with skin, using a pedicle of muscle and skin and free skin transplants. The pectoralis skin pedicle was used to close large bronchopleural fistulas. The results in each group are presented and a staged method, which can be used in all cases of postpneumonectomy empyema, with or without bronchopleural fistula, is described. |
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