title: Free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap used for management of post-pneumonectomy space empyema.
abstract: Various solutions exist for management of post-pneumonectomy space empyema. We describe the use of a free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap to fill the space and close a pleural window. Previously, flaps involving abdominal muscle or omentum have been used for this purpose. Abdominal surgery to harvest such flaps can impair ventilatory mechanics. The DIEP flap--harvested from the abdomen, and composed primarily of skin and muscle avoids this problem, thus is a desirable technique in patients with impaired lung function. We believe this is the first report of the DIEP flap to close a postpneumonectomy empyema space.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Papworth Hospital, and University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom. kate.manley06@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manley
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gelvez
authors.forename: Charlotte J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Meldon
authors.forename: Irisz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Levai
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Malata
authors.forename: Aman S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Coonar
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019074:Epigastric Arteries; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013905:Thoracoplasty / Q000379:methods*