A rare case of late postpneumonectomy empyema
Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2023, 59(2), 64-67.
M. Alexieva1, E. Mekov2, I. Serkedzhiev3, G. Yankov1
1 Department of Respiratory Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
2 Department of Occupational Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
3 Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, UMHAT “Sv. Ivan Rilski”, Medical University – Sofia
Abstract. Pleural empyema after pneumonectomy is one of the most serious and dangerous complications in surgical practice. Surgical treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema with bronchopleural fistula provides excellent long-term results with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The closure of the bronchopleural fistula with omentum is an excellent alternative for sealing the bronchial stump. We present a 71-year-old patient with late postpneumonectomy empyema successfully treated by accelerated Weder-Schneiter 4-stage operative treatment with omentoplasty of the bronchopleural fistula and residual pleural cavity. Clinical management regarding diagnosis and surgical treatment is also discussed.
Key words: late postpneumonectomy empyema, bronchopleural fistula, surgery, accelerated treatment, omentoplasty
Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Dr Evgeni Mekov, MD, UMHAT Sveti Ivan Rilski, 15 Akademik Ivan Geshov Blvd., Bg – 1431 Sofia, e-mail: evgeni.mekov@gmail.com