Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002; 50(5): 308-310
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34577
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A New Combined Surgical Procedure for Severe Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis with Bilateral Empyema

S.  Watanabe1 , K.  Kariatsumari1 , K.  Sakasegawa1 , Y.  Nakamura1 , R.  Sakata1
  • 1Second Department of Surgery, Kagoshima University Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received April 15, 2002

Publication Date:
08 October 2002 (online)

Abstract

In this report, we will describe the treatment of a 38-year-old man with severe descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) with bilateral empyema. DNM is a rare disease with a high mortality rate, and when accompanied by bilateral empyema, this is particularly serious and potentially fatal. To improve the prognosis of such patients, the establishment of an adequate surgical procedure for satisfactory debridement and drainage is essential. This is the first report on a new combined surgical procedure consisting of right standard posterolateral thoracotomy and left video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for severe DNM with bilateral empyema.

References

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Correspondence

Dr. S. Watanabe

The Second Department of Surgery, Kagoshima University Faculty of Medicine

8-35-1 Sakuragaoka

Kagoshima 890-8520

Japan

Phone: +81 (99) 275 53 68

Fax: +81 (99) 265 81 77

Email: shun@khosp2.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp