title: Gastropleural fistula following a splenectomy for splenic abscess: a case report.
abstract: Gastropleural fistula is a rare condition that occurs as a consequence of various thoraco-abdominal surgical procedures and septic conditions. The diagnosis is difficult, it needs a high index of suspicion and appropriate investigations. There are no previous reports of a patient developing a fistula after a splenectomy procedure. The authors report a twelve-year old boy who developed gastropleural fistula following thoracoabdominal surgery, a splenectomy. The patient presented with the clinical condition of chronic empyema thoracis and responded well to medical and surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand. prasit0552002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Prasit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wuthisuthimethawee
authors.forename: Surasak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangkhathat
authors.forename: Charoenkiat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruegklinag
authors.forename: Sakda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patrapinyokul
authors.forename: Kamolwish
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laoprasopwathana
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D005747:Gastric Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*