Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006; 54(1): 47-50
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865876
Original Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Thoracoscopic Diaphragmatic Repair for Refractory Hepatic Hydrothorax: Application of Pleural Flap and Mesh Onlay Reinforcement

P.-M. Huang1 , S.-W. Kuo1 , J.-M. Lee1
  • 1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery and Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Publikationsverlauf

Received May 3, 2005

Publikationsdatum:
17. Februar 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Management of hepatic hydrothorax is difficult, and no radical treatment has been established. Based on accumulating evidence that diaphragmatic defects contribute to hepatic hydrothorax, we developed a diaphragmatic repair method for the management of this complex condition. Methods: From October 2003 to March 2005, 10 patients (age, 32 - 83 years; 6 men and 4 women) with refractory hepatic hydrothorax (Child-Pugh class B - C) underwent thoracoscopic pleura (n = 7) or mesh (n = 3) onlay reinforcement to repair the diaphragmatic defects on which this study focuses, and all patients have since been under follow-up in a prospective observation study. Results: After a mean of 7.7 months of follow-up examinations, no local recurrence occurred in all patients. Two patients died of hemorrhage from esophageal varices two months postoperatively. All patients had a better postoperative pulmonary function. Conclusion: The use of pleura and mesh onlay reinforcement of the diaphragm is an encouraging treatment for refractory hepatic hydrothorax.

References

Dr. Pei-Ming Huang

Division of Thoracic Surgery
Department of Surgery and Traumatology
National Taiwan University Hospital

No. 7, Chung-Shan S. Rd

Taipei 100

Taiwan

Telefon: + 886223562557

Fax: + 88 62 23 22 28 90

eMail: e370089@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw