Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001; 49(4): 237-239
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16112
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Intrathoracic Free Musculocutaneous Flap After Open-Window Thoracostomy for Chronic
Empyema

J.  Shimizu1 , T.  Kinoshite2 , Y.  Tatsuzawa1 , Y.  Kawaura1 , N.  Ishikura2 , M.  Oda3
  • 1Department of Surgery, Saiseikai Kanazawa Hospital
  • 2Department of Plastic Surgery, Kanazawa Medical University
  • 3Department of Surgery, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

An 85-year-old man was suffering from right pyothorax caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The empyema cavity was closed by intrathoracic implantation of a free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (MC) flap using microvascular surgery 2 months after open-window thoracostomy (OWT). Compared with a pedicled MC flap, a free flap has the advantage that it can close a larger empyema cavity since the whole flap can be inserted into the cavity. Although the use of a free MC flap requires a two-stage operation, this method is believed to be more successful for controlling chronic empyema than any other established procedure, including decortication, thoracoplasty or pleuropneumonectomy.

References

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Dr. Junzo Shimizu

Department of Surgery
Saiseikai Kanazawa Hospital

Ni 13-6, Akatsuchi-machi

Kanazawa 920-0353

Japan

Phone: +81 76 266 10 60

Fax: +81 76 266 10 70

Email: azalea-432@mvj.biglobe.ne.jp