Andrews thoracoplasty as a treatment of post-pneumonectomy empyema: experience in 23 cases

Background. Andrew’s thoracopleuroplasty has been described for treating tuberculous empyemas with bronchopleural fistulas. We report on its utilization for treating postpneumonectomy empyemas. Methods. During a 25 year period, 23 patients underwent thoracopleuroplasty for treating postpneumonectomy empyemas, after a period of drainage-irrigation of the cavity. Seven patients presented with persistent bronchial fistula at operation. After resection of the costal arches surrounding the infected cavity, the cavity was cleaned, and the external parietal plane was sutured to the mediastinal plane. Only drainage of the subscapular space was left in place. Results. Postoperative mortality was 4.3%. Postoperative recovery was simple in 17 cases, whereas a superficial abscess was evacuated in 3 cases. The procedure failed in 3 cases, which were treated by open thoracostomy (2), and by reenlargment of the thoracopleuroplasty (1). The sequelae were mainly a diminution of the shoulder mobility, especially when the first rib was resected. Conclusions. Thoracopleuroplasty may safely treat postpneumonectomy empyemas, even those with bronchial fistulas. Most patients are definitively and rapidly cured with limited sequelae.