Surgical Treatment of Post-pneumonectomy Empyema Thoracis

전폐절제 수술후 발생한 농흉치험

Post-pneumonectomy empyema thoracis is an uncommon, but very serious problem. Early diagnosis & adequate drainage followed by thoracoplasty and or myoplasty are very important principles for the management of the empyema thoracis & will enable patient to recover from the toxic effects. During the period of January, 1985 to December, 1990, 13 patients with post-pneumonectomy empyema thoracis were treated in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. There were 10 males % 3 females ranging from 31 years to 79 years of age. The occurrence ratio of left to right side was 8: 5. The underlying pathologic lesions of empyema thoracis were pulmonary tuberculosis[7], lung ca. [2] pneumothorax[2], lung abscess[1] pneumonia[1]. We treatment procedure for post-pneumonectomy empyema thoracis were open window thoracostomy in 10 cases, Clagett procedures in 2 cases, one thoracoplasty, and two cases of Clagett procedures followed by open window thoracostomy in one cases.