Repair of pectus excavatum in a patient with an Eloesser thoracostomy window: sequential extrapleural Nuss procedure and modified Ravitch procedure.

A 28-year-old man with a history of tuberculous empyema and pectus excavatum visited our hospital for progressive dyspnea and leg edema. The patient had undergone an Eloesser window operation for repetitive pleuro-cutaneous fistula due to chronic tuberculous empyema in the left thorax one year prior. Chest computed tomography demonstrated severe compression of the right ventricle and inferior vena cava and chronic empyema with the Eloesser window in the left thorax. Because conservative treatment had failed, the patient underwent a total extrapleural Nuss procedure, resulting in marked relief of compression and complete resolution of leg edema and congestive hepatopathy. However, he required ventilation support due to carbon dioxide retention. Therefore, the patient underwent a modified Ravitch procedure and was weaned off ventilation support. Herein, we represent the first report of a sequential extrapleural Nuss procedure and a modified Ravitch procedure in a patient with chronic tuberculous empyema with an Eloesser window.

Modus Operandi: Irrigation of the Modified Eloesser Flap in Heterogeneous Suppurative Lung Pathologies.

BACKGROUND: Refractory empyemas with collapsed lung and persistent bronchopleural fistulas pose significant problems to thoracic surgeons and impose a substantial burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. The modified Eloesser flap procedure is a useful palliative option for clearing infections. Herein, we present our experiences with the modified Eloesser flap procedure in mixed suppurative lung pathologies with a new technique of irrigation for persistent infection. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of 56 patients who underwent the modified Eloesser flap with continuous irrigation at Katurba Medical College. These patients had severe morbidities and were not suitable for major thoracic resection surgery, and electively underwent modified Eloesser flap surgery. Regular follow-up was done at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients with persistent infections were treated with our continuous irrigation technique. RESULTS: The most important finding was that all patients with active sputum acid-fast bacilli-positive findings became sputum smear-negative during the first month of follow- up. Half (50%) of the patients had a patent stoma. Eleven patients had persistent infections, necessitating continuous irrigation. The infection was fully cleared after 1 month in 9 patients, while 2 patients required second irrigation and continued to receive follow-up. In the remaining 50% of the patients, the stoma closed completely, and the lung expanded fully. CONCLUSION: The modified Eloesser flap is a simple procedure. In suppurative pathologies, infections were well controlled and the general condition of the patients improved. Our continuous irrigation method showed promising results in patients with persistent purulent discharge.

Bronchopleural Fistula and Empyema After Anatomic Lung Resection.

Empyema after anatomic lung resection is rare but causes serious morbidity, particularly if associated with a bronchopleural fistula. Careful assessment of preoperative risk factors and proper surgical technique can minimize risks. Empyema after segmentectomy or lobectomy may respond to simple drainage and antibiotics, or may require decortication with or without muscle transposition. After pneumonectomy, treatment principles include initial drainage of the intrathoracic space, closure of the fistula if present, and creation of an open thoracostomy, which is packed and later closed. Success rates can exceed 80%.

Successful Management of Tracheobronchomalacia Associated with Empyema Using a Covered Metallic Tracheobronchial Stent: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

Tracheobronchomalacia is developed by excessively weakened walls of the trachea and bronchi, and shows dynamic collapse of the airway on expiration and causes dyspnea. Airway stenting or surgical correction of the airway may be helpful. We report a case with tracheobronchomalacia which was combined with chronic empyema and treated successfully with stent insertion.