Thoracomyoplasty for Chronic Empyema and Osteoradionecrosis of the Chest Wall

Abstract

Herein, we report a case in which thoracomyoplasty was performed to manage chronic postlobectomy empyema (PLE). A 54-year-old male patient with a surgical history of right upper lobectomy and thymectomy 35 years previously who had undergone adjuvant radiotherapy presented with purulent discharge on the anterior chest wall. The patient was diagnosed with chronic PLE with ascending infection and concurrent osteonecrosis of the parasternum. Proper drainage was performed for local infection control and the dead spaces were successfully closed with muscle flaps. There have been no complications to date.

Keywords

• pleural empyema
• osteoradionecrosis
• thoracoplasty
• myocutaneous flap