ABSTRACT
Objective@#To study the treatment of huge empyema with free vastus lateralis muscle flap.@*Methods@#From May 2015 to December 2015, 3 cases of empyema were treated with free vastus lateralis muscle flaps, (unilateral vastus lateralis muscle flap, n=2; bilateral vastus lateralis muscle flaps with Flow-through technique, n=1). The volumes of defects were 12.4 cm×5.1 cm×6.4 cm, 11.8 cm×6.9 cm×5.6 cm, and 14.4 cm×7.6 cm×9.4 cm, respectively.@*Result@#All flaps was survived after 23-29 months follow-up. The pus cavities were filled well. There was no empyema reoccurred. The patients felt good, without chest distress. The donor site of flap healed well. The function of lower limb was not affected.@*Conclusions@#Vastus lateralis muscle can fill the pus cavity of empyema successfully, without the sacrifice of chest shape. Free vastus lateralis muscle flap is an ideal choice to repair large empyema defection. For young patient, bilateral free vastus lateralis muscle flap can be used if the cavity is too large to fill with one flap.