Download PDF
Int J Angiol 2015; 24(02): 151-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1370886
Case Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Thoracoplasty for Postpneumonectomy Empyema Associated with Bronchopleural Fistula: A Case Series

Nyal Borges
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
,
Sibu Saha
2   Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
12 December 2014 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Thoracoplasty is a historical procedure, initially devised for the treatment of refractory tuberculous empyema. Advances in medical treatments have nearly eliminated the need for this surgical procedure in pulmonary tuberculosis and it is rarely performed or taught in modern day surgical practice. However, few indications still exist, most prominently, in the treatment of postpneumonectomy refractory empyema often but not always associated with a bronchopleural fistula. In this case report, we present two cases of postpneumonectomy refractory empyema treated by thoracoplasty with long-term follow-up.

Keywords

thoracoplasty - empyema - bronchopleural - fistula
 

  • References

  • 1 Stefani A, Jouni R, Alifano M , et al. Thoracoplasty in the current practice of thoracic surgery: a single-institution 10-year experience. Ann Thorac Surg 2011; 91 (1) 263-268
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Ng CS, Wan S, Lee TW, Wan IY, Arifi AA, Yim AP. Post-pneumonectomy empyema: current management strategies. ANZ J Surg 2005; 75 (7) 597-602
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Molnar TF. Current surgical treatment of thoracic empyema in adults. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2007; 32 (3) 422-430
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Wong PS, Goldstraw P. Post-pneumonectomy empyema. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1994; 8 (7) 345-349 , discussion 349–350
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 de la Riviere AB, Defauw JJ, Knaepen PJ, van Swieten HA, Vanderschueren RC, van den Bosch JM. Transsternal closure of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy. Ann Thorac Surg 1997; 64 (4) 954-957 , discussion 958–959
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Peppas G, Molnar TF, Jeyasingham K, Kirk AB. Thoracoplasty in the context of current surgical practice. Ann Thorac Surg 1993; 56 (4) 903-909
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Horrigan TP, Snow NJ. Thoracoplasty: current application to the infected pleural space. Ann Thorac Surg 1990; 50 (5) 695-699
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Grégoire R, Deslauriers J, Beaulieu M, Piraux M. Thoracoplasty: its forgotten role in the management of nontuberculous postpneumonectomy empyema. Can J Surg 1987; 30 (5) 343-345
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Dewan RK, Singh S, Kumar A, Meena BK. Thoracoplasty: an obsolete procedure?. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 1999; 41 (2) 83-88
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Zahid I, Routledge T, Billè A, Scarci M. What is the best treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema?. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2011; 12 (2) 260-264
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar