[Use of the omentum in the treatment of chronic thoracic empyema].

Abstract

Thoracic empyema (development of suppuration in the thoracic cavity, usually after pneumonectomy) remains a serious complication which is difficult to treat. Failure of classical procedures (lavage-drainage) in the treatment of certain forms of pleural empyema (post-pulmonary resections), with or without associated fistula, led the authors to use the pedicled omental flaps filling material for the chronic empyema cavity. They report their experience (6 cases over a period of 4 years) and define the indications. Omentoplasty has a real place, next to myoplasty, in the therapeutic arsenal for chronic empyema due to its detersion capacity, particularly useful in a "septic" context and because of its volume which is usually sufficient in retracted cavities. The existence of an associated bronchial fistula, history of radiotherapy, posterolateral thoracostomy (sectioned latissimus dorsi) are additional reasons to prefer omentoplasty over myoplasty.

• Authors: B Le Fourn, J Y Lebatard-Sartre, F Gousset-Lejeune, J L Michaud, M Pannier
• Journal: Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthetique (Ann Chir Plast Esthet) Vol. 39 Issue 6 Pg. 715-24 (Dec 1994) ISSN: 0294-1260 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Utilisation de l'épiploon dans le traitement des empyèmes thoraciques chroniques.
• PMID: 7661553 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bronchial Fistula (etiology, therapy)
• Chronic Disease
• Empyema, Pleural (etiology, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Omentum (surgery)
• Pneumonectomy (adverse effects)
• Retrospective Studies
• Thoracostomy