Treatment of post pneumonectomy pleural empyema by open window thoracostomy.
In 13 patients an open window thoracostomy (OWT) was performed for post pneumonectomy pleural empyema. The operation, and life with an OWT cavity, were tolerated well. Early closure of an OWT is not advisable because of a high chance of recurrence of the infection and, in lung cancer patients also the risk of tumour relapse within two years after tumour surgery.
Postmus
P E
PE
Dept. of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Kerstjens
J M
JM
de Boer
W J
WJ
Homan van der Heide
J N
JN
Koëter
G H
GH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004653:Empyema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors