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Ann Thorac Surg 2002;74:1038-1042
© 2002 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Original article: general thoracic

Free deepithelialized anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps for chronic intractable empyema with bronchopleural fistula

Feng-chou Tsai, MDa, Hung-chi Chen, MD, FACS*a, Samuel Huan-tang Chen, MDa, Bruno Coessens, MDa, Hui-ping Liu, MDb, Yi-cheng Wu, MDb, Ping-chang Lin, MDb

a Department of Plastic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
b Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Accepted for publication June 5, 2002.

* Address reprint requests to Dr Chen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 5 Fu-Hsin St, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
e-mail: plastytsai{at}hotmail.com

Background. Free deepithelialized anterolateral thigh (DALT) flaps have been used for treatment of chronic intractable empyema with bronchopleural fistula at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital since 1997.

Methods. Twelve patients with chronic empyema were treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from January 1997 to January 2001. Their age ranged from 31 to 70 years (mean age 48.6 years). Left-sided involvement was predominant (left to right ratio = 9: 3). All patients had bronchopleural fistula, and all were cured. The average numbers of previous thoracotomy were 5.4. The ipsilateral DALT flaps were harvested with primary closure of donor site.

Results. At a mean follow-up of 1 year, no recurrence was noted. All flaps survived well. The average hospital stay was 25.8 days. Complications after reconstruction included chrondritis, partial muscle necrosis, and wound dehiscence (1 patient each). There was no donor site morbidity.

Conclusions. Free DALT flaps can be selected according to different situations during surgery as long as they meet the following requirements: (1) tissue of sufficient volume and good blood supply, and (2) closure of the bronchial leak. Based on this retrospective study, use of free DALT flaps with technical refinement is a reliable method for treatment of chronic intractable empyema combined with bronchopleural fistula.




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L. Jiang, G.-n. Jiang, W.-x. He, J. Fan, Y.-m. Zhou, W. Gao, and J.-a. Ding
Free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for chronic postoperative empyema.
Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2008; 85(6): 2147 - 2149.
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