Intrathoracic Insertion of the VAC Device in a Case of Pleural Empyema 20 Years After Pneumonectomy

We report a 72-year-old man suffering from pleural empyema after pneumonectomy due to nonsmall cell lung cancer 20 years previously. Insufficiency of the bronchial stump was ruled out by bronchoscopy and bronchography. Thoracic computed tomographic scan of the thorax detected an abscess located in the subcutaneous tissue of the right ventrolateral chest wall originating from severe pyogenic osteomyelitis of the fifth and sixth ribs. Our surgical management included partial resection of the chest wall followed by insertion of the vacuum-assisted closure system into the thoracic cavity. The patient fully recovered and was discharged on postoperative day 32.