Omental pedicle flap for the management of postoperative bronchopleural fistulae

Nine patients, who had previously undergone pneumonectomy (3) or lobctomy (6), were treated for bronchopleural fistulae using a pedicled omental flap. After adequate evacuation of the pleural space and control of infection, the omentum was harvested with an intact gastroepiploic arch and through an upper midline laparotomy and then transferred to the affected hemithorax. Successful closure was achieved in all the cases. The empyema spaces got completely obliterated without any recurrences, leaving no cosmetic defect.