[Treatments for post-pneumonectomy pyothorax without broncho-pleural fistula: irrigation of the post-pneumonectomy space].
Between January 1986 and December 1997 pneumonectomy was performed in 58 patients. Of the 58 patients, four had pyothorax without broncho-pleural fistula. Four patients underwent chest tube drainage and irrigation of the post-pneumonectomy space, and one of which died of lung cancer during treatment for pyothorax. Two had no evidence of recurrent infection, and one had a chest wall fistula after about one year and a fistulectomy was performed. These observations suggest that draining and irrigating of the post-pneumonectomy space are effective and non-invasive methods for treating post-pneumonectomy pyothorax without broncho-pleural fistula. However we were not able to investigate specific methods, fluid types, or irrigation time frames.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan.
S
S
Shimatani
S
S
Yamazaki
S
S
Sasamoto
N
N
Kato
K
K
Takagi
N
N
Okuyama
D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation