Dead space of empyema occurrs from incomplete obliteration of infected pleural space from pulmonary tuberculosis, pyogenic infection, esophageal disease and post pulmonary resection.
Chronic empyema can be treated by obliteration of dead space with autologous tissues such as, extrathoracic muscle flap and omental flap and thorachoplasty. Between. May, 1986 to July, 1991 we treated 17 chronic empyema patients with autologous
tissues
and analysed the result.
1. Sex distribution was 14 males and 3 females between 5-62 years old. (mean 39.7 years old)
2. The volume of the dead space ranged from 100 to 450cc. (mean 213.76cc)
3. The majority of used muscle flap were serratus anterior and latissimus dorsi, and there were 2 cases of omental flap.
4. The majority of underlying disease were pulmonary tuberculosis and there were 8 BPF (47%) in 17 patients.
5. In 7 cases, thorachoplsty was needed.
6. Three cases recurred and there were no death.
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