Intrathoracic Free Musculocutaneous Flap After Open-Window Thoracostomy for Chronic
Empyema

An 85-year-old man was suffering from right pyothorax caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The empyema cavity was closed by intrathoracic implantation of a free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (MC) flap using microvascular surgery 2 months after open-window thoracostomy (OWT). Compared with a pedicled MC flap, a free flap has the advantage that it can close a larger empyema cavity since the whole flap can be inserted into the cavity. Although the use of a free MC flap requires a two-stage operation, this method is believed to be more successful for controlling chronic empyema than any other established procedure, including decortication, thoracoplasty or pleuropneumonectomy.

Key words:

Chronic empyema - Free musculocutaneous flap - Microvascular surgery - Open-window thoracostomy

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