Faculty Collaboration Database

Obliteration of empyema tract with deepithelialized unipedicle transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996 Sep;112(3):631-6

Date

09/01/1996

Pubmed ID

8800149

DOI

10.1016/S0022-5223(96)70045-4

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0029964863 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   9 Citations

Abstract

Four patients with chronic empyema after pneumonectomy have undergone successful obliteration of the empyema tract with a deepithelialized transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. The deepithelialized skin island has provided sufficient bulk for tract obliteration. Rotation of the skin island into the long axis of the rectus muscle has added considerable length to this flap, allowing it to reach the apex of the thoracic cavity. A recurrent loculation developed 4 months after the obliteration procedure in one patient. This was successfully treated with open pleural drainage and a second Clagett procedure. Over a mean follow-up period of 35 months, all four patients are free of further infectious sequelae. Chest roentgenograms have confirmed eradication of the tracts in all four patients.

Author List

Serletti JM, Feins RH, Carras AJ, Losee JE, Johnstone DW, Herrera HR, Hicks GL Jr

Author

David Johnstone MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Chronic Disease
Drainage
Empyema, Pleural
Epithelium
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pleura
Pneumonectomy
Radiography, Thoracic
Rectus Abdominis
Recurrence
Reoperation
Skin Transplantation
Surgical Flaps
Thoracostomy