Thoracoplasty and Myoplasty for Operative Treatment of Postpneumonectomy Empyema - A Case Report -

전폐절제술후 발생한 농흉의 흉곽성형술과 근성형술을 이용한 수술치험 -1례 보고-

Initial successful treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema depends to a large extent on adequate dependent drainage of the empyema sac and the use of antibiotics. But definite control of the infected space remains a disturbing and controversial area in the field of thoracic surgery. A 55-year-old man had a right pneumonectomy for tuberculosis with the development of postoperative thoracic empyema and in October 1973. Postoperatively, an empyema developed and the condition was managed with closed drainage and an open window thoracostomy. He was transferred to our institution in October 1988, and underwent thoracoplasty for the obliteration of the empyema space, resulting in a remaining space. The remaining space after thoracoplasty was obliterated by myoplasty using a rotation flap of splitted pectoralis major muscle three months later. He was discharged with uneventful course 12 days after operation, and continues to do well 3 months following operation. Our experience shows that thoracoplasty and myoplasty offer an effective alternative method of management of post-pneumonectomy empyema.