Vacuum-assisted closure of pleural empyema without classic open-window thoracostomy.

Hofmann, Hans-Stefan; Schemm, Rudolf; Grosser, Christian; Szöke, Tamas; Sziklavari, Zsolt · Ann Thorac Surg · 2012

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A 64-year-old man was diagnosed with complex empyema after a second course of palliative chemotherapy for metastatic lung cancer. Because of the poor general condition of the patient, the decision was made to proceed with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy of the empyema without Eloesser or Clagett open-window thoracostomy (OWT). Installation and changing of the VAC sponge were performed using the ALEXIS Wound Protector/Retractor (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA), a flexible polymer membrane tube. After 10 days of VAC treatment, the pleural cavity was sterile and was closed with single stitches. Chemotherapy was resumed 1 week later.

Medical subject headings