HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): William H. Fleming Charles R. Hatcher, Jr. Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Miller, J. I. Articles by Hatcher, C. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Miller, J. I. Articles by Hatcher, C. R., Jr.

Ann Thorac Surg 1975;19:585-588
© 1975 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Articles

Balanced Drainage of the Contaminated Pneumonectomy Space

Thoracic Surgery Section, Atlanta Veterans Administration Hospital, Decatur, and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga

Accepted for publication October 29, 1974.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr. Miller, Veterans Administration Hospital (Atlanta), 1670 Clairmont Rd., Decatur, Ga. 30033

The patient who needs a pneumonectomy but has an infected pleural cavity faces the probability of an empyema of the pneumonectomy space. Balanced drainage of a contaminated space may avoid this very serious complication.

A patient with obstructing bronchogenic carcinoma associated with distal parenchymal suppuration and empyema is discussed. A pneumonectomy with balanced drainage of the pleural space was performed. After three weeks the mediastinum was stable, and daily irrigation of the space with antibiotic solution was begun. Following fourteen days of irrigation, the cavity was filled with antibiotic solution and closed. Follow-up has shown no subsequent space problems or infection.

Balanced drainage is a useful method of dealing with a contaminated pneumonectomy space.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. S. Wolf, F. L. Jacobson, T. R. Tilleman, Y. Colson, W. G. Richards, and D. J. Sugarbaker Managing the pneumonectomy space after extrapleural pneumonectomy: postoperative intrathoracic pressure monitoring, Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, April 1, 2010; 37(4): 770 - 775. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. F. Molnar Current surgical treatment of thoracic empyema in adults Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, September 1, 2007; 32(3): 422 - 430. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.-i. Watanabe, S. Shimokawa, G. Yotsumoto, and K.-i. Sakasegawa The use of a Dumon stent for the treatment of a bronchopleural fistula Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 2001; 72(1): 276 - 278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. T. Pezzella, A. A. Conlan, and G. J. Carroll Early Management of the Postpneumonectomy Space Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals, December 1, 2000; 8(4): 398 - 402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. H. Hollaus, F. Lax, P. N. Wurnig, D. Janakiev, and N. S. Pridun Videothoracoscopic debridement of the postpneumonectomy space in empyema Eur J Cardiothorac Surg, September 1, 1999; 16(3): 283 - 286. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. R. Munnell Thoracic Drainage Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 1997; 63(5): 1497 - 1502. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. I. Miller, K. A. Mansour, F. Nahai, M. J. Jurkiewicz, and C. R. Hatcher Jr. Single-Stage Complete Muscle Flap Closure of the Postpneumonectomy Empyema Space: A New Method and Possible Solution to a Disturbing Complication Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 1984; 38(3): 227 - 231. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. M. Katz and R. B. McElvein A Method of Early Irrigation of the Contaminated Postpneumonectomy Space Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 1981; 31(5): 464 - 468. [Abstract] [PDF]