Second surgery for complications of major pulmonary resection—the technique of thoracoplasty with muscle flap

Abstract

: Second surgery for postoperative complications after lung resection is one of the important issues that thoracic surgeons must overcome. Chronic empyema after lung resection, which is caused by bronchopleural or pleural fistula remains a challenge in modern medicine. Especially in cases in which decortication is not indicated, treatment is difficult, hospitalization is prolonged, and the condition is sometimes life-threatening. Surgical treatment of chronic empyema requires not only decortication and debridement, but also closure of the bronchopleural fistula and obliteration of dead space. From this viewpoint, thoracoplasty and muscle flap transposition are important techniques that lead to complete and reliable closure of the empyema cavity. Although they are performed less frequently today, they are procedures with which every thoracic surgeon should be familiar. This clinical practice review focuses on the use of muscle flaps in thoracoplasty and describes the historical background, types of muscle flaps, tips on surgical techniques, and treatment results. There is a wide variety of types and utilization of muscle flaps. Since the selection of an appropriate muscle flap is directly related to the success of the treatment, careful preoperative planning is necessary. It is important to understand the characteristics of each type of muscle flap and to select the appropriate technique for the patient’s pathological and general condition.