Free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for chronic postoperative empyema.
Chronic postoperative empyema remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. Free musculocutaneous flap transplantation may provide a good alternative option in the treatment of these refractory complications after pulmonary resections. Three patients with chronic postoperative empyemas combined with bronchopleural fistulas underwent obliteration of the empyema tracts with free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap transplantations. Surgical treatment was a two-stage procedure that consisted of open-window thoracostomy, followed by obliteration of the pleural cavity using a free transfer of the ipsilateral, full-thickness rectus muscle flap and microanastomoses. No postoperative complications occurred, and the 3 patients resumed normal daily activities. Free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap transplantation is safe and effective in the management of chronic postoperative empyema with bronchopleural fistula.
Jiang
Lei
L
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai Tongji University, Shanghai, China. jgnwp@yahoo.com.cn
Jiang
Ge-ning
GN
He
Wen-xin
WX
Fan
Jiang
J
Zhou
Yi-ming
YM
Gao
Wen
W
Ding
Jia-an
JA
D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013907:Thoracostomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed