Open window thoracostomy followed by intrathoracic flap transposition in the treatment of empyema complicating pulmonary resection.
OBJECTIVE
Successful treatment of postoperative empyema remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. We report herein our 12-year experience in the management of this condition by means of open window thoracostomy.


METHODS
Open window thoracostomy was used in the treatment of 46 patients with empyema complicating pulmonary resection. A bronchopleural fistula was associated in 39 of 46 cases. Previous operations included pneumonectomy (n = 30), bilobectomy (n = 5), lobectomy (n = 9), and wedge resection (n = 2) performed for benign (n = 10) or malignant (n = 36) disease. In 10 patients open window thoracostomy was definitive because of patient death (n = 2), concomitant major illness (n = 2), tumor recurrence (n = 4), spontaneous closure (n = 1), or patient choice (n = 1). In 36 cases intrathoracic flap transposition was eventually performed. Muscular (n = 29), omental (n = 5), or combined muscular and omental (n = 2) flaps were used to obliterate the thoracostomy cavity and to close a possibly associated bronchopleural fistula. In 9 patients with postpneumonectomy cavities too wide to be filled by the available flaps, a limited thoracoplasty represented an intermediate step.


RESULTS
Among patients treated with definitive open window thoracostomy, local control of the infection was achieved in all the survivors (8/8). After open window thoracostomy and subsequent flap transposition, success (definitive closure of the thoracostomy and, if present, of the bronchopleural fistula) was achieved in 27 (75. 0%) of 36 patients. Four initial failures could be salvaged by means of reoperation (initial reopening of thoracostomy and subsequent muscular or omental transposition).


CONCLUSIONS
Open window thoracostomy followed by intrathoracic muscle or omental transposition represents a valid therapeutic option in patients with empyema complicating pulmonary resections.
Regnard
J F
JF
Service de Chirurgie Thoracique et Vasculaire, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France. jf.regnard@ccml.com
Alifano
M
M
Puyo
P
P
Fares
E
E
Magdeleinat
P
P
Levasseur
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome