title: Paraspinous muscle flap for the treatment of an empyema cavity: three case reports.
abstract: A surgical option is commonly chosen when conservative medical therapy for empyema is impossible. The muscles used include the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and pectoris major, based on the size and location of the empyema cavity. However, these volumes are decreased in patients suffering from malnutrition, and flap dissection and elevation are sometimes invasive. Therefore, we developed an alternative method, and present three successful cases in which we used a pedicled paraspinous muscle flap to fill the dead space caused by empyema fenestration in the medial region of the back. The paraspinous muscle flap remains an important tool in reconstruction. However, such flaps should be created only in selected cases, such as those with empyema in the posterior region. Also, if the pleural space is large, additional muscle flaps will be required.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan. micha2005jp@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamiyoshihara
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ibe
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Igai
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan.
authors.forename: Natsuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawatani
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan.
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ohsawa
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan.
authors.forename: Rhohei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, 3-21-36 Asahi-Cho, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-0014, Japan.
authors.forename: Kimihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Empyema; Paraspinous muscle flap