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. 2021 Jul 2;16(1):187.
doi: 10.1186/s13019-021-01566-z.

Short and long-term outcomes of surgical intervention for empyema in the post-fibrinolytic era

Caitlin J Cain  1 , Marc Margolis  1   2 , John F Lazar  1   2 , Hayley Henderson  2 , Margaret Hamm  2 , Stefanie Malouf  2 , Puja Gaur Khaitan  3   4
Affiliations

Short and long-term outcomes of surgical intervention for empyema in the post-fibrinolytic era

Caitlin J Cain et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Open window thoracostomy (OWT) is indicated for patients with bronchopleural fistula (BPF) or trapped lung in the setting of empyema refractory to non-surgical interventions. We investigated the role of OWT in the era of minimally invasive surgeries, endobronchial valves and fibrinolytic therapy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent OWT at a single institution from 2010 to 2020 was performed. Indications for the procedure as well as operative details and morbidity and mortality were evaluated to determine patient outcomes for OWT.

Results: Eighteen patients were identified for the study. The most common indication for OWT was post-resectional BPF (n = 9). Prior to OWT, n = 11 patients failed other surgical or minimally invasive interventions. Patient comorbidities were quantified with the Charlson Comorbidity index (n = 11 score ≥ 5, 10-year survival ≤21%). Three (16.7%) patients died < 30 days post-operatively and 12 (66%) patients were deceased by the study's end (overall survival 24.0 ± 32.2 months). Mean number of ribs resected were 2.5 ± 1.2 (range 1-6) with one patient having 6 ribs removed. Patients were managed with negative pressure wound therapy (n = 9) or Kerlix packing (n = 9). Eleven patients (61.6%) underwent delayed closure (mean time from index surgery to closure 4.8 ± 6.7 months).

Conclusions: Our study illustrates the significant comorbidities of patients undergoing OWT, the poor outcomes therein, and pitfalls associated with this procedure. We show that negative pressure wound therapy can be utilized as potential way to obliterate the pleural space and manage an open chest in the absence of an airleak; however, OWT procedures continue to be extremely morbid.

Keywords: Bronchopleural fistula; Empyema; Open window Thoracostomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

PGK is a paid consultant for Vericel.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A OWT part I with rib segments removed showing underlying lung parenchyma; B OWT part II showing skin sutured circumferentially to parietal pleura (marsupialization). C Eloesser flap (adapted from original sketch by Dr. Eloesser) [11], D Modified Eloesser flap with numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 corresponding to cutaneous flap, removed rib segment, lung parenchyma, and diaphragm respectively
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Kaplan Meier curve modeling survival probability for OWT cohort
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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