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

Authors :
Hofmann HS
Schemm R
Grosser C
Szöke T
Sziklavari Z
Source :
The Annals of thoracic surgery [Ann Thorac Surg] 2012 May; Vol. 93 (5), pp. 1741-2.
Publication Year :
2012

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.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1552-6259
Volume :
93
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Annals of thoracic surgery
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
22541219
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.12.039