A Novel Therapeutic Approach Using the Combination of Vacuum-assisted Closure System and 1-Way Valve After Open-Window Thoracostomy in Treating Chronic Empyema Complicated by Multiple Bronchopleural Fistulae

Empyema thoracis may be an ancient disease, but it still occurs in present-day thoracic practice. Despite medical and technical progression, pleural infection remains a major health care concern. When empyema thoracis is complicated by bronchopleural fistulae or repeated infections, it becomes a clinical challenge to physicians and can substantially lengthen and complicate a patient’s course of treatment. This case report presents a 48-year-old male patient with chronic empyema and multiple bronchopleural fistulae who was effectively treated by a combination of a 1-way valve and vacuum-assisted closure system through open-window thoracostomy. This combination successfully prevented air accumulation beneath the wound dressing, and therefore it was possible to maintain negative pressure, which is essential for the vacuum-assisted closure system to function.
Source: Clinical Pulmonary Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Interventional Pulmonary Medicine Source Type: research