MODERN METHODS OF TREATMENT OF RECURRENT POSTPULMONECTOMY PLEURAL EMPYEMA

Abstract

One of the most severe complications in thoracic surgery after lung resections is postpulmonectomy pleural empyema. This fatal complication is most often due to fistula or bronchial valve insufficiency and depends on the operative technique and suture material. With modern mini-invasive methods of treatment and operative techniques, the share of the unfavorable outcome of the disease is significantly reduced. I will present several cases from my 25 years of practice as a breast surgeon successfully treated with minimally invasive methods.