title: Intrathoracic insertion of the VAC device in a case of pleural empyema 20 years after pneumonectomy.
abstract: We report a 72-year-old man suffering from pleural empyema after pneumonectomy due to nonsmall cell lung cancer 20 years previously. Insufficiency of the bronchial stump was ruled out by bronchoscopy and bronchography. Thoracic computed tomographic scan of the thorax detected an abscess located in the subcutaneous tissue of the right ventrolateral chest wall originating from severe pyogenic osteomyelitis of the fifth and sixth ribs. Our surgical management included partial resection of the chest wall followed by insertion of the vacuum-assisted closure system into the thoracic cavity. The patient fully recovered and was discharged on postoperative day 32.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matzi
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindenmann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porubsky
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Neuboeck
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Freyja Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Smolle-Juettner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000601:surgery; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014618:Vacuum